Azareye’h Thomas 2025 NFL Draft: FSU CB Scouting Report
In a stacked 2025 NFL Draft class, Azareye’h Thomas is a talented cornerback with plenty of upside in the NFL. Thomas is an athletic CB who played football for the Florida State Seminoles. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook in this scouting report. Additionally, we will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.
Azareye’h Thomas 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Thomas arrived at Florida State as a highly touted four-star recruit from Niceville High School. During his college football career, he showcased his versatility as a two-way standout, excelling both as a cornerback and an offensive playmaker. His athletic profile was further highlighted by his success in track and basketball, highlighting his exceptional physical tools. After redshirting in 2021, Thomas progressively earned a larger role in the Seminoles’ secondary, culminating in a breakout 2024 season as a full-time starter. Ultimately, his decision to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft positions him as a rising prospect with significant upside.
Starting all 12 games in 2024, Thomas emerged as a cornerstone of Florida State’s defense despite the team’s struggles. He recorded 52 tackles (second on the team), 1.5 tackles for loss, four pass breakups, and one interception. His performance earned him All-ACC Honorable Mention honors and the Bobby Bowden Leadership Award, reflecting his on-field impact and off-field maturity. Opposing quarterbacks rarely tested him, a testament to his coverage prowess, though his stats reflect a player still refining his consistency.
Furthermore, Thomas possesses a lanky, well-proportioned frame with long arms that enhance his ability to contest passes and disrupt receivers at the line. His combination of height and fluidity is rare for the position, allowing him to match up against bigger receivers while retaining the agility to handle quicker slot threats. While not an elite burner, his functional speed (4.45-4.50 40-yard dash range) is adequate for outside coverage, and his quick-twitch explosiveness shines in short-area bursts.
HT: 6014
WT: 197
40: 4.48e
ARM: 3238
Strengths
- Press Coverage: Thomas thrives in press-man situations, using his length and physicality to jam receivers at the line. His hand placement and timing disrupt routes early, forcing quarterbacks to look elsewhere.
- Ball Skills: With 10 pass breakups in 2023 and 4 in 2024, Thomas consistently tracks the ball in the air and times his interventions well. His interception against Florida in 2024 showcased his ability to read the quarterback and capitalize on mistakes.
- Physical Tackler: Unlike many tall corners who shy away from contact, Thomas willingly engages in run support. He delivers pop on contact and aggressively fills alleys downhill, averaging over four tackles per game in 2024.
- Football IQ: His route recognition is advanced for a one-year starter, particularly in off-coverage, where he anticipates underneath throws. His communication skills in zone schemes also stand out.
- Upside Potential: At just 20 years old on draft day (born July 6, 2004), Thomas is a raw talent with room to grow, making him an enticing developmental prospect.
Areas for Improvement
- Long Speed Concerns: While sufficient for most matchups, Thomas can struggle to recover against elite deep threats if beaten off the line. His top-end speed will be a key evaluation point at the Combine.
- Tackling Consistency: Though willing, his technique needs polish. He occasionally lunges or strikes high rather than wrapping up, leading to missed tackles (e.g., three whiffs against Duke in 2024).
- Inconsistency in Man Coverage: Against savvy route runners, Thomas can get caught peeking into the backfield or biting on double moves, exposing him to separation. His press technique, while strong, isn’t yet refined enough to dominate every snap.
- Limited Ball Production: Thomas has only two career interceptions despite his coverage ability. Turning more pass breakups into takeaways will elevate his stock.
- Experience: With just one full season as a starter, he lacks the extensive game tape of some peers, leaving questions about his readiness for NFL complexity.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Thomas projects as a Day 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, with the potential to sneak into the late 1st Round. His size, length, and press-man skills make him an ideal fit for teams like the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kansas City Chiefs, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who value physical outside corners in man-heavy schemes. With coaching to refine his technique and bolster his run defense, he could develop into a quality CB2 or low-end CB1 within a few years.
All in all, Thomas blends tantalizing physical tools with a competitive edge. However, his rawness tempers expectations. He’s not yet a finished product, but his ceiling is high for a team willing to invest in his growth. Like Benjamin St.-Juste, Thomas brings length and press-man ability to the table but needs time to polish his game. With development, he could exceed this comp and approach a Derek Stingley Jr.-lite trajectory. Look for him to go early in the highly anticipated 2025 NFL Draft.
Round Grade: 2nd Round
Stats: Per Sports Reference
| Season | Team | G | Solo | Ast | PD | Int | IntTD | FF |
| 2022* | Florida State | 11 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023* | Florida State | 14 | 21 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024 | Florida State | 12 | 35 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 37 | 64 | 31 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
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