INDIANAPOLIS — When Ian Thomas speaks about a player he’d like to emulate, without hesitation he cites Jimmy Graham.
But it’s not because they’re both tight ends. Or because they’re both very athletic.
It’s because like Thomas, Graham had a rough childhood upbringing. Graham was left by his mother at a foster home at the age of 11.
When Thomas was 12, an uncle planned to drop he and eight siblings in foster care as well. That’s when an older brother stepped in and raised them all. Both of Thomas’ parents died before he was 10 years old.
So yes, Thomas is one of the most intriguing and dynamic tight end prospects in this year’s NFL Draft. But what Thomas plans to tell NFL teams about what he’d bring their team is this:
