The Jaguars' 2024 season was challenging enough to prompt a coaching change, but amid those difficulties, Jacksonville unearthed a diamond.
His name is Brian Thomas Jr., and he's already captivated much of the NFL in just one season. The LSU product kicked off his NFL career by catching 87 of 133 targets for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, tearing through defenses no matter who was throwing him passes.
As Thomas found his footing, he also found a level of confidence that emerges on Sundays. When reviewing his rookie season tape, Thomas' new coaches can't help but eagerly anticipate his second year.
"I'm steady watching it and just getting more and more excited as for who he is, what he's about," receivers coach Edgar Bennett told The Florida Times-Union. "I was surprised, because when I first got here, people were telling me, as far as, you know, the way he carries himself, his demeanor, very quiet and confident. But on game day, he's different. He's different, and I love that about him. Saw that instantly."
Thomas doesn't need to explain his confidence; the numbers do it for him. Despite the Jaguars' struggles elsewhere in 2024, Thomas was a consistent producer and a constant threat to opposing defenses, steadily racking up totals that earned him a Pro Bowl nod. Even after the Jaguars lost Trevor Lawrence in Week 9 due to injury -- Lawrence would make just one more start before his season ended -- Thomas remained effective, catching 48 passes for 611 yards and four TDs in games in which the star quarterback didn't participate.
Thomas' success might lead some to become complacent, but not this LSU product. His new coaching staff has witnessed nothing but consistent effort from the wideout, who is aiming to build on his breakout first season by producing an even better sophomore campaign.
"He's definitely not resting. He doesn't have that... that's not in him," Bennett said. "He always seems like, when talking with him, he has that approach as far as he wants to be the best. And so with that, he put the work in and so that's his approach.
"He puts the work in, the effort is there each and every day and it starts in the classroom. The moment he walks through the door, it's almost as though he's already in that mode as far as the classroom, walkthrough, practice field, weight room, whatever, he's giving it his all."
Thomas will add another responsibility to his list in 2025: mentor. While he's only 22 years old, he has one more year of NFL experience than Jacksonville's newest weapon, second-overall pick Travis Hunter, who will play cornerback and is expected to appear on offense as a receiver.
The aforementioned confidence is already driving Thomas to guide teammates like Hunter, according to Bennett.
"He's definitely taken more of a leadership approach and role, and he speaks up," Bennett said. "And it's not just from a verbal standpoint, he also leads by example. And so that's another way he's helping the entire room."
If the Jaguars follow Thomas' lead, they should enjoy a bounce-back season in 2025. They can count on Thomas giving his full effort to help them reach that goal.