COSTA MESA, Calif. -- New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas and Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Cardale Jones were longtime teammates before both entered the NFL in 2016.
In 2011, Thomas and Jones played together with Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, and then they linked up again at Ohio State.
While with the Buckeyes, Jones became a much bigger star. After he started 2014 as the third-string quarterback, injuries created a chance for Jones to start in the final three games of Ohio State's national championship run, and he excelled.
Meanwhile, with Jones and running back Ezekiel Elliott taking the spotlight, Thomas was in the background helping the offense with either production or diversion, but Jones wasn't surprised to see Thomas make a successful leap to the NFL.