Former Bison defensive end Brayden Thomas will do what it takes to get NFL shot

During the pre-draft process, the 6-foot-3, 258-pound Thomas said some teams have inquired about his willingness to play different positions like fullback and tight end.

“I’ve only heard a little bit of it, but in the position I’m at, I’m taking and doing whatever I can to give myself the best opportunity,” said Thomas, a Bismarck High School graduate. “When it comes to getting on a field or getting on a team, getting an opportunity to try to make an active roster … I’ll do it all. It doesn’t matter to me.”

Thomas said he played both tight end and offensive tackle during his senior high school season along with defensive end. At NDSU’s recent pro day, Thomas did on-field work for defensive end and outside linebacker in front of representatives from NFL teams. He projects to be an edge rusher and special teams player.

Thomas asked talent evaluators if they wanted to see him go through additional drills for either tight end or fullback during Bison pro day.

“They just wanted to see D-lineman drills,” Thomas said.

Thomas, who transferred from Division II Minnesota State Mankato, played two seasons for the Bison. In 22 games, he had 10.5 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss.

Last fall, Thomas had nine sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss in 13 games, helping the Bison win the NCAA Division I FCS national championship in January.

“I couldn’t have written a better story,” Thomas said. “It was a blessing. It was awesome to be able to come back and play for the Bison and do what we did as a team.”

Thomas, who is being represented by the Dynamic Sports Group which is based in Las Vegas, trained at Landow Performance in the Denver area prior to NDSU pro day. Since pro day, he’s been splitting time between Bismarck and Fargo and continuing his training.

Former Bison wide receiver Christian Watson, offensive lineman Cordell Volson and tight end Josh Babicz also participated at Bison pro day along with Thomas on March 24.

“I want what’s best for them and they want what’s best for me, that’s the coolest part of all of it,” Thomas said. “I’m not sitting here trying to compete against them, I’m competing with them.”

Thomas added it has been beneficial to have former teammates who are going through a similar process.

“It’s having somebody who has the same mindset as you next to you that’s willing to put in the work that you want to do and challenge you,” he said. “That part of it is really huge.”

Thomas said he met former Bison defensive end Derrek Tuszka last summer and also got Tuszka’s number to keep in contact. Tuszka is an outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Thomas is likely to play a similar role if he is able to make an NFL roster.

Thomas said he talked with Tuszka before February's East-West Shrine Bowl college all-star game for advice.

“I called him before the East-West, I was texting him throughout the process,” Thomas said. “It was good to ask him.”

Thomas said he’s also kept in contact with former NDSU defensive ends coach during the pre-draft process.

During pro day, Thomas posted a 6.90 seconds in the 3-cone drill to showcase his change of direction and acceleration. Thomas said he had ran faster times in training, but was satisfied with that performance.

“I was totally jacked to run a sub-7,” Thomas said. “I thought that definitely went really well for me.”

Thomas had a 32-inch vertical and did 25 reps at 225 pounds in the bench press. His broad jump was 9 feet, 3 inches. He was also timed at 4.4 seconds in the shuttle.

Thomas said his focus on training has allowed him to rebuild his body after the FCS played a spring season with a quick turnaround into a fall season. He’s also been able to improve his lower-body flexibility.

“I’ll do anything and you’re going to get 100%,” Thomas said. “That’s pretty much how I went about my college career and that’s how I’m going to continue to go about my professional career. It’s really just trying to be versatile.”