Thomas Incoom Bio
Thomas Incoom is a Ghanaian professional American football linebacker for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and weighing around 265 lb (120 kg), he plays the linebacker position and is listed as active on the Carolina roster. After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft, he signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent before eventually landing with the Panthers, where he has carved out a role as a core special teamer.
Before reaching the NFL, Thomas Incoom built a strong résumé at the college level with the Valdosta State Blazers and the Central Michigan Chippewas. His production at both stops earned him First-team All-GSC honors in 2019 and First-team All-MAC recognition in 2022, the kind of accolades that helped him transition from a small college background into a professional career.
Early Life and Background
Thomas Incoom was born on February 19, 1999, in Ghana. He later moved to the United States at the age of 12, settling in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Growing up in the suburbs of Atlanta shaped his early years and gave him his first sustained exposure to American football, a sport he had not grown up playing in his home country.
He attended Stone Mountain High School, where he developed the physical tools and technique that would later define his game. His size, length, and motor made him a natural fit on the defensive side of the ball, and his high school performance was strong enough to draw college attention. After completing his prep career, he committed to play football at Valdosta State, choosing a program with a tradition of developing defensive linemen and edge rushers.
Path to American Football
Thomas Incoom’s path to the NFL level began at Valdosta State, a Gulf South Conference program where he spent the 2017 through 2020 seasons. Working his way up the depth chart, he became a disruptive presence off the edge, using his length and quick first step to pressure opposing backfields. His play in 2019 earned him First-team All-GSC honors, a clear sign that he belonged among the top defenders in his conference.
Looking for a stronger platform before the NFL, Incoom transferred to Central Michigan, a program in the Mid-American Conference, where he played from 2021 to 2022. The move paid off immediately, as he produced the best season of his college career in 2022. By the end of his collegiate career, he had totaled 146 tackles, 45 tackles for loss, 28.5 sacks, multiple forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. He was projected as a potential sixth- or seventh-round pick entering the 2023 NFL draft.
Thomas Incoom Career
Early Career (2017–2022)
During his early career at Valdosta State, Thomas Incoom worked primarily as a pass rusher and edge defender, refining his hand technique and leverage against larger offensive tackles. His 2019 All-GSC selection marked him as a breakout defender in the Gulf South Conference, and it positioned him as one of the more intriguing small-school prospects in the region.
His transfer to Central Michigan gave him a chance to test himself against a higher level of competition in the Mid-American Conference. The 2022 season was the peak of his college career, as he posted 57 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries with one returned for a touchdown, and a forced fumble. That production earned him First-team All-MAC honors and helped him earn an invitation to the NFL process.
Denver Broncos Era (2023–2024)
Thomas Incoom signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted free agent after the 2023 NFL draft. As a rookie, he appeared in four games for Denver during the 2023 season, getting his first taste of regular-season action in the league. He recorded one solo tackle against the Miami Dolphins and assisted on another tackle against the Detroit Lions, contributing mainly on special teams and in spot defensive packages.
His time with Denver came to an end on August 27, 2024, when he was waived as part of the team’s late-preseason roster moves. The short stint with the Broncos gave him valuable NFL experience, even though the numbers were limited, and it set up his next opportunity just one day later.
Carolina Panthers Era (2024–Present)
On August 28, 2024, Thomas Incoom was signed to the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad, giving him a new landing spot to continue his development. He was promoted to the active roster on October 8, 2024, marking his return to a 53-man roster. His initial Panthers stint included a waive on November 30 followed by a quick re-sign to the practice squad three days later, a common path for young players on the margins of a roster.
On January 6, 2025, Incoom signed a reserve/future contract with Carolina, securing his place with the organization into the next league year. He made the Panthers’ roster out of training camp in 2025 and went on to play in all 17 regular-season games as a core special teamer, a role that highlighted his versatility, toughness, and willingness to do the unglamorous work. On March 10, 2026, he re-signed with the Panthers, continuing his run with the franchise.
Driving Style and Strengths
Thomas Incoom’s strengths as a football player revolve around his size, length, and motor at the linebacker position. He has shown the ability to set the edge against the run, rush the passer off the edge, and contribute on special teams, where his athleticism and angles stand out. Coaches have trusted him in core special teams roles, an area of the game that often decides whether young defenders stick on an NFL roster.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Thomas Incoom’s most notable milestones are his First-team All-GSC nod in 2019 and his First-team All-MAC selection in 2022, awards that bookended his college rise. He has also reached the milestone of playing a full NFL season, appearing in all 17 games for the Panthers in 2025 after surviving roster cuts and practice squad stints earlier in his career. Through his first NFL regular seasons, he had recorded 27 total tackles.
Thomas Incoom Career Wins
Thomas Incoom’s win totals are best measured at the college level, where he posted 28.5 sacks across his career split between Valdosta State and Central Michigan. He added 45 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles, numbers that reflect a consistently disruptive edge defender rather than a player defined by single dramatic plays.
College Highlights
His most decorated college moment came in 2022, when he earned First-team All-MAC honors after racking up 57 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. His 2019 First-team All-GSC selection at Valdosta State served as the first major validation of his trajectory and helped him land at Central Michigan.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his conference awards, Incoom posted strong per-game production throughout his college career, including multiple multi-sack performances. His professional résumé is still developing, but his consistent special teams work for the Carolina Panthers has been a clear positive in his early NFL story.
Thomas Incoom Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public details about Thomas Incoom’s immediate family are limited. He was born in Ghana and relocated to the United States as a young teenager, eventually settling in Stone Mountain, Georgia. His journey from Ghana to Georgia reflects a personal story of immigration and adaptation that shaped his approach to football.
Personal Life
Thomas Incoom currently resides in Stone Mountain, Georgia, the same community where he attended high school. He has kept his personal life largely private, with no verified public information available about a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Thomas Incoom’s 2025 season marked a clear step forward in his NFL career. After signing a reserve/future deal in January, he made the Carolina Panthers’ roster out of training camp and went on to appear in all 17 regular-season games, a strong sign of durability and trust from the coaching staff. He served as a core special teamer, handling core roles on coverage and return units while remaining available as a depth linebacker on defense.
His role on special teams gave the Panthers a reliable veteran presence in the kicking game, an area where his speed and angles translate well. With the defensive staff also able to call on him in spot packages, Incoom provided valuable depth at the linebacker position throughout the year. His consistent availability stood out for a young player who had navigated the practice squad just months earlier.
On March 10, 2026, Incoom re-signed with the Panthers, locking in his future with the franchise and giving him a chance to compete for an expanded defensive role. Heading into 2026, he is positioned as a known quantity on special teams with upside as an edge contributor, and his trajectory points toward continued growth within the Carolina system.
