Stantley

Thomas-Oliver III

A converted wideout, Thomas-Oliver III (6'0/192) quickly made an impact in Conference USA, earning honorable mention honors in 2018. He improved to second-team in 2019, making big plays at every level of the field with eight PBUs, two sacks, a pick and two forced fumbles. Thomas-Oliver III will likely need time to season on the practice squad, but he has the size, athleticism and instincts to continue to progress at his new position.

Thomas-Oliver is one of several corners who came in with a 4.48 second time. The former Golden Panther was listed at 6-foot-2 while he was in college, but came in two inches shorter at 6-foot while weighing in at 192 pounds. That’s still solid size, and NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein believes Thomas-Oliver has a chance to be drafted late as a developmental prospect.

Thomas-Oliver (6'2/184) is not a career defensive back. When he got onto FIU’s campus in 2016, Thomas-Oliver was initially a wide receiver and caught over 30 passes as a freshman. By 2017, though, Thomas-Oliver’s favor at WR seemed to fade, pushing him to switch to CB. Since the switch, Thomas-Oliver has been the program’s top DB and has recorded 18 passes defended in his two seasons on defense.