As a Stanford-product, Solomon Thomas is no stranger to high intensity games, but did admit he was anxious before Friday’s preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs — his first NFL game.
It didn’t show. Thomas was one of the best players on the field last Friday, logging 28 meaningful snaps.
“I was pretty nervous before the game, you know, jitters, butterflies,” Thomas said Wednesday on the Murph and Mac Show. “But it was great to get it out of the way, get my feet wet and play my first NFL game. I came to the realization that it’s just football and I just need to relax a little bit and just play.
“I thought I showed some good things but I definitely have a lot of good things to work on. It was great to see some of the things I showed, but I also have way more to improve on and way more to keep climbing on to become where I need to be.”
Thomas signed his contract on the day training camp started. His roommate at the team hotel? Fellow first-round draft pick Reuben Foster. John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan are hoping the two players will be building blocks on defense for years to come. They’ve been busy getting to know each other after practice during training camp.
“I see Reuben as a brother, he’s hilarious,” Thomas said. “He has that certain vibe, that energetic mentality. It’s just fun to be around him. We’re always laughing, having a good time. You never see the guy down. He’s my roommate too.”