Everyone loves a good mystery, and there was certainly one on the New England Patriots practice field on Friday when an unidentified defensive back in a No. 35 jersey showed up.
According to the Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed, the player was former Birmingham Stallions star safety A.J. Thomas.
Thomas was an All-UFL player and tied for the most interceptions in the UFL last season. He finished the year with 23 total tackles and three interceptions, which aided the Stallions in winning the UFL Championship.
Thomas went undrafted out of Western Michigan and spent over a year with the Chicago Bears. He had limited work on the field with six game appearances and four total tackles in the NFL.
The mystery defensive back wearing No. 35 at Patriots training camp is S A.J. Thomas, per source. All-UFL as the league's interception leader in 2024 with the Birmingham Stallions. He's also spent time with the Bears.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) August 2, 2024
The Patriots already have Jabrill Peppers, Kyle Dugger and Marte Mapu as their top safeties.
Perhaps Thomas is being viewed as potential camp competition for veteran Jaylinn Hawkins as the top depth option in the defensive backfield.