#83 Jayden Thomas 2023-24 Football Roster

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Watchlist for 2025 Senior Bowl

AS A SENIOR (2024)

• at TEXAS A&M (8/31): Saw playing time on offense and special teams in the win… made one catch for 14 yards
• NORTHERN ILLINOIS (9/7): Competed in the game on offense…targeted twice with one catch for four yards
• at PURDUE (9/15): Competed in the win for the Irish… made a catch for two yards
• MIAMI UNIVERSITY (9/22): Saw playing time in the win… collected two catches for eight yards
• LOUISVILLE (9/28): Competed on offense and special teams in the victory… made a five-yard reception on fourth down to extend a drive that ended in a touchdown
• STANFORD (10/12): Played in the win… had a 15-yard touchdown reception to put the Irish up for good… first TD of the season… targeted three times… made two catches for 23 yards
• at GEORGIA TECH (10/19): Competed on offense and special teams… made a catch for eight yards
• at NAVY (10/26): Saw playing time… made one catch for five yards to pick up a first down

AS A JUNIOR (2023)

• Took the field in 11 games, making five starts … Totaled 21 catches for 310 yards and a pair of touchdowns … Rushed one time, gaining 10 yards
• NAVY (8/26): Began the season with a team-high four catches … Totaled 63 yards and caught a touchdown in the second quarter
• TENNESSEE (9/2): Led the team with four catches for 62 yards in the victory
• CENTRAL MICHIGAN (9/16): Caught a team-best four passes for 63 yards … Caught a season-best 39 yarder to move the Irish inside the five-yard line to set up a score … Carried one time, gaining 10 yards
• OHIO STATE (9/23): Caught one pass for seven yards
• at LOUISVILLE (10/7): Grabbed two passes … Went for 33 receiving yards
• USC (10/14): Appeared in the 48-20 victory over tenth-ranked USC
• PITTSBURGH (10/28): Caught two passes, gaining 23 yards in the victory over Pitt
• WAKE FOREST (11/18): Earned playing time in the home finale against the Demon Deacons
• OREGON STATE – TONY THE TIGER SUN BOWL (12/29): Finished with 59 yards on four catches and a touchdown … His first touchdown since the season-opener in Dublin … Scored from eight yards out on Notre Dame’s opening drive of the game as the Irish never trailed in the win

AS A SOPHOMORE (2022)

• Played in all 13 games making seven starts as a wide receiver. Finished third on the team with 25 receptions, while being second with 362 receiving yards. Hauled in three touchdowns during the year. Played on the front line of the kickoff return unit that averaged 19.2 yards per return during the season.
• OHIO STATE (9/3): Made his season debut against the Buckeyes
• MARSHALL (9/10): Earned his first career catch, an eight yard gain that moved the Irish into Marshall territory in the first quarter
• NORTH CAROLINA (9/17): Caught a pair of passes to gain 24 yards in the win
• BYU (10/8): Finished with a season-high three catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. Touchdown reception was a 32-yard score, pinning the ball to the defender’s back before fully hauling it in.
• STANFORD (10/15): Finished with one catch for eight yards.
• UNLV (10/22): Career-best 37 yard reception on the first drive of the game to help setup the first score of the afternoon.
• SYRACUSE (10/29): Finished with one catch, a three-yard touchdown in the team’s victory.
• CLEMSON (11/5): Finished with three catches for 15 yards, converting a key third down with a sliding catch near the sideline.
• NAVY (11/12): Earned a season-high 80 receiving yards on three catches. Had a 38-yard reception in the second quarter, the longest of his career to date.
• BOSTON COLLEGE (11/19): Caught two passes for 20 yards.
• USC (11/26): Added a pair of receptions to total 23 yards through the air.
• South Carolina – TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (12/30): Led the team with five catches while picking up 66 receiving yards.

AS A FRESHMAN (2021)

• Appeared in three games for the Irish this season – Virginia (11/13), Georgia Tech (11/20) and Stanford (11/27)

PREP AND PERSONAL

• Four-star recruit by Rivals and ESPN
• Three-star recruit by 247Sports.com
• No. 221 player nationally, No. 94 player regionally, No. 43 wide receiver nationally and No. 23 player from Georgia by ESPN.com (83 Scout Grade)
• No. 47 wide receiver and No. 23 player from Georgia by Rivals (5.8 Rivals rank)
• No. 106 wide receiver nationally and No. 47 player from Georgia by 247Sports.com
• Hauled in 25 receptions for 399 yards and five touchdowns during his senior season
• Played for coach Chris Slade at Pace Academy
• High School coach, Slade, played linebacker in the NFL for nine seasons between the New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers
• Also plays baseball at Pace
• Son of April and Randy Thomas
• Grandfather, Phillip Rodgers, was the first African-American quarterback at Virginia Tech
• Has two siblings; Kaysen and Holden