(Editor's Note: As part of the preparation for training camp, this series will introduce 25 players who are new to the Cowboys' roster, rookies and veterans alike. We'll continue with offensive lineman Nate Thomas.)
How He Got Here: Thomas had a rather lengthy career at Louisiana Univ., spanning five seasons. But he didn't spend all the time on the field, playing in just 33 games due to multiple injuries. When he did suit up and play, Thomas showed enough ability to get himself drafted in the seventh round (233rd overall) by the Cowboys, who did their homework on his medical history and figured the upside was worth it once they get him back to 100 percent. Thomas played both guard and tackle for the Ragin Cajuns, including 12 starts at left tackle last season to earn honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference honors.
What's Next: He might be one of the youngest, but he'll be the one of the biggest, too at 6-5, 325. For Thomas, it's all about staying healthy, something that has been easier said than done. But if he can stay on the field, keep getting plenty of practice reps and carry that over into successful snaps in preseason games, there's no reason to think he can't make the squad as a versatile backup with plenty of upside. The problem for Thomas, is that he's already behind more experienced players that are in the same boat. The Cowboys are still hoping for the likes of Matt Waletzko, Josh Ball, Asim Richards and even Earl Bostick to take that leap as well. So it'll be a hungry room for the offensive linemen. Thomas has to show off his position flex more than ever to prove he can have some value in different spots.
Did You Know: When the Cowboys drafted Thomas, he was the third offensive lineman taken in the class, marking the first time in 13 years the Cowboys took three O-linemen in one draft class. In 2011, the Cowboys took Tyron Smith, David Arkin and Bill Nagy. This past draft, the Cowboys selected Tyron Guyton and Cooper Beebe before taking Thomas.
Quotable: "The kind of player that they are getting is someone who is going to war every day, who is going to do a job, who is going to succeed no matter what and who's is going to get on the field and play with aggression, tenacity, and knack. Overall, I am coming in there to dominate and meet the expectations and exceed them. That is the type of player that they getting and I'm just glad that they were willing to give me this opportunity to show them." – Nate Thomas
