Nathan Thomas Bio
Nathan Thomas (born August 22, 2001) is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 5 in and listed at 330 lb, he plays the position wearing jersey number 71 for the Cowboys. Thomas played college football for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns and entered the NFL when he was selected by the Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft.
Early Life and Background
Nathan Thomas was born on August 22, 2001, in New Orleans, Louisiana, and grew up in the same city. He first played organized football at the age of 11, having previously focused on basketball during his early childhood. This late introduction to the sport meant that Thomas developed his football skills later than many of his peers.
Thomas attended Chalmette High School in Chalmette, Louisiana, where he played both football and basketball. On the football field, he spent three years as a tight end and helped the Owls reach the state playoffs twice during his high school career. Rated as a three-star recruit, he committed to play college football for the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, with the program planning to develop him at the offensive tackle position rather than as a tight end.
Path to American Football
Thomas’s path to professional football ran through the college ranks at the University of Louisiana. After committing to the Ragin’ Cajuns as a developmental offensive tackle project, he joined the program with the goal of adding the size and technique required for the position.
His progress at Louisiana was gradual but steady. Thomas redshirted during his first year on campus, appearing in only one game, and then did not see the field at all in 2020. By 2021, he was working into the rotation as a backup, appearing in seven games. The following season, he earned the starting left tackle job, signaling his arrival as a full-time contributor along the offensive line.
Nathan Thomas Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Thomas’s early college years were defined by patience and physical development. He joined the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns in 2019 and spent most of that season adjusting to the speed and physicality of college football while preserving a year of eligibility through a redshirt.
In 2020, Thomas did not appear in any games, continuing to work behind more experienced linemen. The 2021 season marked his first real taste of regular action, as he played seven games in a backup role and gained valuable experience against Sun Belt Conference competition.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Breakthrough (2022–2023)
The 2022 season represented Thomas’s true breakthrough at Louisiana. He won the starting left tackle job for the Ragin’ Cajuns and went on to start all 13 games that year, anchoring the left side of the offensive line and providing protection for the team’s quarterbacks. His performance that season established him as a reliable starter at the collegiate level.
Thomas returned for the 2023 season and was named honorable mention All-Sun Belt Conference after starting all 12 regular season games. He finished his collegiate career with 32 games played and 25 starts, a record that reflected his steady rise from a late-recruit project to a full-time starter. His play during these two seasons earned him invitations to the East–West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine, two key showcases for draft-eligible prospects.
Dallas Cowboys Era (2024–Present)
Thomas entered the NFL when the Dallas Cowboys selected him in the seventh round, 233rd overall, of the 2024 NFL draft. His selection capped a college career that had moved him from a late-starter in football to an NFL draft pick in just a few years.
Thomas was placed on injured reserve on August 27, 2024, limiting his rookie availability. As of the 2025 season, he remains on the active roster wearing number 71, with career NFL statistics showing 17 games played and 4 games started. He is listed as an offensive tackle on the Cowboys’ depth chart.
Driving Style and Strengths
Thomas brings the frame and length that modern NFL teams look for at offensive tackle, listed at 6 ft 5 in and 330 lb. His college production, including 25 career starts at left tackle for the Ragin’ Cajuns, points to a player whose strengths lie in pass protection and run blocking on the edges. His experience at left tackle also gives the Cowboys flexibility along their offensive line.
Notable Events and Milestones
A signature moment in Thomas’s career came when he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL draft, becoming a professional player after beginning football at age 11. Earning All-Sun Belt Conference honorable mention in 2023 and invitations to both the East–West Shrine Bowl and the NFL Scouting Combine highlighted his status among the top college tackles in his draft class.
Nathan Thomas Career Wins
As an offensive lineman, Nathan Thomas’s contributions are measured in starts, snaps, and team success rather than individual win totals. Across his college career at Louisiana, he appeared in 32 games with 25 starts, helping the Ragin’ Cajuns compete in the Sun Belt Conference from 2021 through 2023.
Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Highlights
Thomas’s most productive stretch came during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, when he started 25 combined games at left tackle. In 2022, he started all 13 games after winning the starting job, and in 2023, he started all 12 regular season games while earning All-Sun Belt Conference honorable mention recognition.
Other Wins and Performances
At Chalmette High School, Thomas helped the Owls reach the state playoffs twice during his three years playing tight end. He also competed in basketball for the Owls, giving him a varied athletic background that contributed to his development as a football player.
Nathan Thomas Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Nathan Thomas’s family background is limited. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, and attended Chalmette High School in nearby Chalmette, where he developed as a multi-sport athlete.
Personal Life
Thomas’s personal life is largely kept private. Details about his marital status, spouse, children, and parents are not publicly confirmed in available sources. He is an American national who grew up in Louisiana and currently plays in the NFL for the Dallas Cowboys.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks Nathan Thomas’s second year in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys. After a rookie year that included a stint on injured reserve, he is listed as an active offensive tackle on the roster wearing number 71. His early career totals, including 17 games played and 4 games started, reflect his gradual development into a regular contributor along the offensive line.
Thomas’s path to a larger role in 2025 will likely depend on his continued growth in pass protection and run blocking, areas where his size and college experience provide a foundation. The Cowboys’ offensive line competition will be a key storyline to watch as he competes for additional starts.
Coming off an All-Sun Belt Conference honorable mention season at Louisiana and draft-day selection by Dallas, Thomas enters 2025 with momentum and a clear opportunity to expand his role. His combination of length, college starting experience, and the technical polish he developed at Louisiana position him to remain a factor in the Cowboys’ offensive tackle rotation.