FRISCO, Texas – Soloman Thomas graduated from high school as a Coppell high school Cowboy in 2014, and now 11 years later signed with his hometown Dallas Cowboys on a two-year deal Wednesday evening.
"It's amazing, it's truly a dream come true," Thomas said. "Playing in Coppell, being raised in the Dallas area and now getting to play in my hometown in front of my people I love, my family, friends and close ones, I feel at home…"
"I can't wait to put on that star and win games here and win a championship here."
Thomas, a seven-year veteran defensive tackle, agreed to terms with the Cowboys on Tuesday after spending the last three seasons with the New York Jets. In 2024, Thomas produced 26 total tackles, five tackles for loss, and three and a half sacks.
His homecoming to Dallas is also a reunion with new Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton, who coached Thomas for three seasons in New York.
"I've been very blessed to work with coach Whitecotton," Thomas said. "I got there his second year as the defensive line coach of the Jets and to see his growth the last three years has been insane. He's become one of the best defensive line coaches in the league."
Whitecotton has a strong track record of success at developing defensive linemen, including three-time Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams with the Jets. Thomas expects a lot of the same from him during his tenure as the Cowboys defensive line coach.
"You can look at the stats and see how he's produced, how his players have played, the guys who have gotten paid, he's just so good at letting guys play their own game and he's good at pushing us and taking us to the next level." Thomas said of Whitecotton.
"He sets a standard that we can't ever bend or waiver against, you're getting a coach who is always going to give your all, he's intense and he loves his players, and his players love him back."
Over the course of his career, Thomas has played all over the defensive line on the interior and exterior. In Matt Eberflus' scheme, he feels like he'll be able to capitalize on his skillset the most by playing violent and attacking every snap.
"I just love the scheme, the scheme turns off the brain and you just let the body play," Thomas said. "It's an attack front, so you go attack every play, it's violent, effort, it's passion, that's what this front is about. I feel like this scheme is best for me, best for my game because I like to play fast, I like to be decisive, I like to be violent and I like to play with high effort."
Off the field, Thomas helped found "The Defensive Line," a non-profit organization committed to end the epidemic of youth suicide, specifically for young people of color. In the past, he's collaborated with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott's "Faith, Fight, Finish" foundation, and is appreciative of all Prescott did to assist.
"They've helped us out tremendously, donated to us, lifted our name up, they do such amazing work here," Thomas said. "There's a reason Dak is a Walter Payton Man of the Year for the amazing work he does in Dallas and around the world, he impacts so many lives."
Now, Thomas gets to play alongside Prescott, and he's looking forward to working even closer with him to have as large of an impact on the community as possible.
"To get to play with him as a teammate, I'm super excited, I've heard of the amazing leader that he is, obviously his play talks for himself, he's the best quarterback in the league, I'm super happy to be here, play with him." Thomas said.
"Now Faith Fight Finish and the Defensive Line, we can work even more together, do great work, impact this community and save as many lives as we can."
