Thomalla is from Lexington, Nebraska.[2] He attended Millard South High School where he played football as a quarterback and basketball as a point guard.[3] He became starting quarterback in 2023 and threw for 2,800 yards and 26 touchdowns.[4] As a junior, he helped the team win the state championship while compiling a record of 12–1, earning first-team all-state honors and being named the MaxPreps Nebraska Player of the Year after throwing for 3,664 yards and 47 touchdowns with only three interceptions.[5] He broke the state records for single-season completions, passing yards, touchdowns and offensive yards.[5][6] He was invited to the Elite 11 competition prior to his senior season.[7] As a senior, he threw for 3,484 yards and 61 touchdowns, setting state records for passing yards, completions, and touchdowns, while helping Millard to another state championship.[8]
A four-star recruit, Thomalla was ranked a top-70 player nationally, the number one player in Nebraska and a top-10 quarterback recruit.[9] He initially committed to play college football for the Iowa State Cyclones.[5] Thomalla later flipped his commitment to the Alabama Crimson Tide.[10] He signed with the Crimson Tide in December 2025.[9]
