Ocho is back in Tallahassee.

It's been almost three years since Florida State defensive back Azareye'h Thomas donned the number eight, which is the longest he's gone his entire life without it.

He earned the nickname "Ocho" during his time at Niceville High School, emerging as the No. 5 athlete in the country out of the Class of 2022.

However, once he got to FSU, the number was already taken.

With Renardo Green now graduated, the No. 8 slot opened up and Thomas wasted no time flipping his No. 20 to an eight.

"I wore that number in high school, middle school and it's always been a part of me," Thomas said. "When I got the chance to switch, I switched."

Whether it be the number change or not, Thomas' game has taken a substantial jump in the first two weeks of FSU's spring season.

The Seminoles' secondary has been a nightmare for the offense since the start of spring practices, disrupting nearly every single pass attempt.

Alongside veterans Shyheim Brown and Fentrell Cypress II, Thomas has been a big part of why the secondary has been so good early on. He's elevated his game and credits a lot of it to a new mental approach.

"The physical element of the game will always be there, but if you don't have that mental element you can't be great in this game," Thomas said. "Every off-season, I try to work on my mind. I'm a God-fearing man, and that plays a huge part in how I show up on the field."

"He's a pro" - Patrick Surtain

By no means did he have a bad sophomore season. Thomas recorded 29 tackles and eight pass deflections in 14 games. Now, with his recent spike, he's a front-runner for a starting spot in the secondary.

FSU head coach Mike Norvell said he's been impressed with Thomas' game elevation, but expected him to make this kind of leap this year.

"I'm not saying he [Thomas] hasn't done anything that's shocked me because I think really highly of him and what his ceiling is," Norvell said. "He's played a lot of football. He played a lot of snaps as a true freshman and last year as a sophomore, and was very active in what we did."

"Him, Fentrell and those guys are seasoned. Both of them have done a lot of good things here in the first day of practice, but the sky's the limit for him and I'm trying to push all that I know he can be."

Defensive backs coach Patrick Surtain only reiterated what Norvell said in that there's a high expectation of what Thomas is capable of and it comes as no surprise that he's beginning to show his potential.

"As I tell people all the time he's a pro," Surtain said to media on March 19 following practice. "He approaches everything like a pro as far as the classroom, meeting room and how he comes out here and handles business."

"He's a guy who I'm looking forward to taking a major jump this year as an All-Conference, All-American player."

Simplifying the game for FSU newcomers

While he is focused on his own game, continuing to take leaps and bounds, he also wants to guide younger players through the earlier parts of their career, mainly spring ball.

Madison County alumni and former FSU defensive back Travis Jay was that for him. Thomas wants to be that figure for guys like Charles Lester III, Cai Bates and others.

"I really just try to simple it down to them," Thomas said. "Coming in [to the program] my mind was everywhere. Me understanding that I try to get them to understand that it's going to come. Just take it one step at a time. You don't have to learn everything today."

"We're just understanding that it's a process and trying to make it simple for them."

Jack Williams covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at jwilliams@tallahassee.com or on X @jackgwilliams. 

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Azareye'h Thomas credits mental game in elevated game with FSU football