Jared Thomas Returns to Northwestern as Director of External Relations and Alumni Engagement

EVANSTON, Ill. – Dan and Susan Jones Family Head Football Coach David Braun has named Jared Thomas Northwestern Football’s Director of External Relations and Alumni Engagement.

"We are so excited to welcome Jared back home to Northwestern,” Braun said. “Two of our program's core objectives are preparing our players for life and building a brotherhood, and this role will play an essential part in continuing to bring those values to life. Jared experienced firsthand what makes Northwestern special as a captain on this team, and is perfectly positioned to bridge the generations of Wildcat football while helping build the foundation of our program's future."

Thomas played five seasons at Northwestern from 2015-19, appearing in 43 games during his Wildcat career and making 26 consecutive starts over his final two seasons. The Indianapolis, Ind., native was named a team captain in 2019 and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors during his final season in Evanston.

"I wouldn’t be able to tell my story and describe my maturation without speaking about what this place means to me,” Thomas said. “They believed in an offensive lineman from Indianapolis and now I’m excited to come back home. Momentum is building in Evanston, and I look forward to assisting in what’s to come! Go Cats!"

In his new role, Thomas will lead engagement with Northwestern Football alumni and drive external aspects of the program, working closely with Northwestern Athletics on marketing and donor relations. This role will continue to develop programming that connects current and former student-athletes, including overseeing Northwestern Football's Alumni Mentoring Program. Thomas will also coordinate employer relations and internships for football student-athletes in collaboration with the Kabiller NU for Life Program, source and develop NIL opportunities for current and future Wildcats, and support philanthropic efforts and donations specific to the football program.

Thomas returns to Northwestern following a five-year professional football career. He began with the Indoor Football League’s Massachusetts Pirates in 2021, earning All-IFL Rookie Team and Second Team All-IFL honors, before joining the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League in 2022, where he was named to the USFL All-Offense Team. Thomas played for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023 before spending the 2024 and 2025 seasons with the UFL’s Memphis Showboats.

A graduate of Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, Thomas also has experience as an analyst for Big Ten Network. He worked as a studio production intern during his senior season before participating in the network’s B1G Experience following graduation. He made his on-air debut as a game analyst during Northwestern’s 2024 season-opening victory over Miami (Ohio).

At Northwestern, Thomas was a four-time Academic All-Big Ten recipient, a semifinalist for the 2019 William V. Campbell Trophy (recognizing the nation's top football scholar-athlete for combined academic success, leadership and football performance) and a member of the 2020 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, made up of players who maintain a 3.2 grade point average or higher throughout their college careers. He started every game along the Wildcats' offensive line during the 2018 and 2019 seasons and was part of three bowl victories from 2016-18, while also helping lead the ‘Cats to a Big Ten West championship in 2018.

Thomas also served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Executive Board and spent three seasons participating in Northwestern's Defining Leadership Program during his time as a student-athelete. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism, and a master's degree in sport and fitness administration/management.