**Thomas** was selected by the New York Jets in the first round (second overall) of the 1990 NFL Draft and was given the number 32 with the expectation of developing into a great player, which no Jet had worn since the retirement of Emerson Boozer in 1975. As a rookie, he was used as part of a four-man running back rotation that included Freeman McNeil, Johnny Hector and Brad Baxter.