Lions signed UAB CB Starling Thomas.
Thomas (5’10/190) grew up right down the street from UAB’s campus and was a star high school track athlete who won the state 100-meters championship with a scorching 10.53s time. As a sophomore in 2019 he tore his left ACL for a second time half-way through the season, but somehow played through it and managed to start every game that year. He came back even stronger and in 2022 posted a First Team All-CUSA campaign by breaking up 15 passes while earning a 79.7 PFF overall defensive grade. His speed is without question, running a 95th percentile 4.38s 40-yard dash with a 37.5” vert (80th%). However, his 4.36s shuttle (31st%) and 7.29s 3-Cone (17th%) were troubling agility times. A twitchy athlete who also returned kicks, Thomas smothered opposing wideouts at the Shrine Bowl and has the kind of frame, speed and instincts to be a valued slot corner.
