Former Colorado State linebacker Tre Thomas made a strong enough impression on the Indianapolis Colts during a rookie minicamp over the weekend that they signed him to a free-agent contract afterward.

Thomas was one of four players the Colts signed to their 90-player offseason roster following the minicamp, the team announced.

Thomas, 6-foot-1 and 221 pounds, was the Rams’ second-leading tackler last season with 101, including 42 solo stops, 4.5 tackles for lost yardage and two quarterback sacks. In 51 games over four seasons at Colorado State University, the Denver native was in on 218 tackles, including 111 solo stops and 18.5 tackles for lost yardage. He finished his CSU career with 4.5 quarterback sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery.

The Colts also signed kicker Cole Hedlund out of North Texas, defensive tackle Sterling Shippy from Alcorn State and cornerback Shakial Taylor from Kansas. To make room on the roster for the newcomers, the Colts waived kicker Clayton Hatfield, cornerback Chris Rayford and defensive end Anthony Winbush.

Thomas is one of two former CSU players who were hoping to earn an invitation to NFL training camps through tryouts at rookie minicamps. Running back Izzy Matthews participated in a rookie minicamp over the weekend with the Houston Texans.

Kelly Lyell covers CSU and other local sports and sports-related news for the Coloradoan. Follow him at twitter.com/KellyLyell and facebook.com/KellyLyell.news and help support the work he and his fellow journalists do in our community by purchasing a subscription at coloradoan.com/subscribe.