Former Hokies QB Thomas awes with key TD in upset of Steelers
Early last decade, Logan Thomas caught the attention of Virginia Tech fans as a durable quarterback.
Early this decade, the 29-yearold Lynchburg native, now a Washington tight end, has caught more passes than ever before.
The feat was accomplished during Washington’s stunning 23-17 victory Monday over the previously undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The powerful, 6-foot-6, 250-pounder set career highs by catching nine passes for 98 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown that tied the score at 17.
Ron Rivera’s team went on to extend its winning streak to three games and joined the Giants atop the NFC East at 5-7, though New York holds the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Thomas, from Brookville High, only played in seven games as a Tech freshman in 2010. But he won the QB1 job in 2011 and was a three-year starter for Frank Beamer’s Hokies, finishing 693 for 1,248 for 9,003 yards and 52 touchdowns in his four seasons. Couple that with his 495 carries for 1,359 yards and 24 TDs, and he was one of the most productive Hokies ever.
Despite that, his play — especially 39 interceptions — occasionally frustrated Tech fans in his last two seasons, when the Hokies were a combined 15-11. Still, he performed well enough to convince the Arizona Cardinals to draft him as a quarterback in the fourth round in 2014. He was active for six games as a rookie, starting two.
But the Cardinals waived him in early September 2015. He joined the Miami Dolphins a day later, but through various roster moves, he was waived in June 2016 without playing a regular-season game. He had a similar experience with the Giants later that year, then was on the Detroit practice squad for two days.
Finally, in November 2016, he signed with Buffalo and decided — correctly, it has turned out — that tight end could be his pro niche.
In 2017, he gained regular playing time as a reserve with the Bills. Over two Buffalo seasons, he played in 24 games, starting five, and had a combined 19 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown. Given his mindset and knowledge from his quarterbacking days, he became a mentor to younger players.
Thomas went back in 2019 to Detroit, where he played in all 16 games and made 16 receptions for 173 yards and a TD.
In March 2020, looking to rebuild, Washington signed Thomas. He has been a steady target amid the quarterback uncertainty that Alex Smith seems to have erased, as the former Hokie exceeded his previous NFL career totals by compiling 43 catches for 426 yards and five scores.
Back on Oct. 30, Rivera’s words on washingtonfootball.com proved prophetic about Thomas: “I know Pete Hoener, our tight ends coach, really liked him and really pushed for him and has really worked with him and helped develop him. He’s done a heck of a job. Logan, I think, is a guy who can continue to grow in his role for us. I’m pretty excited about that.”
Washington fans surely echo that sentiment after Monday’s triumph.