TALLAHASSEE – Defensive back Azareye’h Thomas was drafted by the New York Jets on Day 2 of the NFL Draft Friday, selected in the third round and 73^rd overall. Thomas’s selection extended FSU’s streak with at least one draft pick to 42 years, the eighth-longest active streak in the nation.
 
Thomas became Florida State’s 38^th defensive back drafted over the previous 38 drafts and third over the last two years. Thomas is FSU’s 301^st all-time draft pick, with 215 of those coming since the Seminoles’ current streak began in 1984.
 
Azareye’h Thomas | DB | 3rd Round (73rd overall) | New York Jets
Thomas started 13 of 37 games in his career, finishing with 95 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 15 pass breakups, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. As a junior in 2024, the Niceville native earned All-ACC honorable mention recognition after finishing second on the team with a career-best 52 tackles. He added four pass breakups and his second career interception, in the end zone against Florida in the season finale. Thomas had a career-high six tackles three times last season.
 
As a sophomore in 2023, Thomas tallied 29 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss and 10 pass breakups, the fourth-highest total in the ACC. He recovered a fumble in the season opener against No. 5 LSU and forced a fumble in the ACC Championship Game victory over No. 16 Louisville.
 
Thomas is the 11^th Seminole drafted by the Jets, with four coming since 2021: Hamsah Nasirildeen in 2021, Jermaine Johnson II in 2022, Jordan Travis in 2024 and Thomas in 2025.