DODGE CITY, Kan. -- Less than three years ago Mike Thomas was helping the Dodge City Community College football team under then first-year coach Gary Thomas have its first winning season and reach its first bowl game in eight years.

Fast forward to Saturday afternoon and Mike Thomas realized his dreams of being drafted as the wide receiver was selected in the sixth round (206th overall) of the NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.

After catching 43 passes for 709 yards and three touchdowns for the Conqs in 2013, Thomas went to Southern Mississippi where he progressed to becoming an All-Conference USA selection in his senior season in 2015 with 71 catches for 1,391 yards (a USM record) and 14 touchdowns (also a USM record). His receiving touchdowns, receiving yards and receiving yards per game all ranked in the top 10 of the NCAA in 2015.

The Chicago native, who played his freshman year under Thomas during his final year coaching at College of Dupage, is the second former Conquistador to be drafted in as many seasons as defensive tackle Marcus Hardison (who played for DC3 in 2011 and 2012 before going to Arizona State) was selected in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2015.

Two former Conquistadors teammates of Thomas from that 2013 team agreed to undrafted free agent contracts with teams as fellow wide receiver Devonte Robinson (who played at Utah State) signed with the Green Bay Packers while defensive back Darvell Harris (who played at North Alabama) signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

DC3 coach Gary Thomas had another receiver from his Dupage coaching stint sign as an undrafted free agent Saturday in Johnny Holton with the Oakland Raiders. Holton played at the University of Cincinnati after Dupage.