PAYBACK TIME
Shunned by Buckeyes, Utah star RB Thomas vows to ‘show them what they missed out on’ in Rose Bowl
TLOS ANGELES avion Thomas had visions of becoming a running back at Ohio State. ● He grew up in Dayton and had looked up to Buckeyes stars such as Braxton Miller and Ezekiel Elliott since middle school. ● Nearly four years ago, that dream came close to reality as Thomas planned to sign with the Buckeyes. But in the days leading up to signing day in February 2018, he received disappointing news. Ohio State asked if he would start out at a junior college. ● Former coach Urban Meyer feared he wouldn’t be accepted by the university’s admissions office out of high school, prompting him to suggest the detour, according to Darran Powell, who coached Thomas at Dunbar High School. Meyer thought he could successfully transfer to the school once he raised his grades.
“He was honest about it,” Powell said. “He literally said he’s one of the best backs that he’s ever seen. It was high regards.”
The belief just wasn’t enough to overcome his lower grades. As both sides moved on, it marked the start of a winding path in college football that comes full circle in the Rose Bowl.
Initially signing with Cincinnati, Thomas transferred after two seasons to Independence Community College in Kansas and then hit the road again this past summer, heading to Utah and setting up the matchup with his homestate school on New Year’s Day.
After losing the chance to join the Buckeyes, Thomas said he has a “lovehate relationship” with Ohio State and hopes to “show them what they missed out on,” using the sudden ending to his recruitment as additional motivation for the matchup.
Thomas felt he had a good relationship with OSU’S coaching staff, especially running backs coach Tony Alford.
“What I like about Coach Alford is he was a straightforward guy,” Thomas said, “and I respect that. I want to play for a coach that’s straightforward, that ain’t going to sugarcoat anything. And he wasn’t just talking football.”
But being unable to sign with Ohio State as a freshman still stung and
proved discouraging.
“That was really kind of hard for me,” he said. “When they said that, I’m like, ‘Man, am I not worthy enough?’ I had doubts in my mind and stuff like that.”
As Thomas persevered, he’s provided a big impact for Utah, helping it reach its first-ever Rose Bowl trip.
In his debut season for the Utes, he rushed for 1,041 yards and 20 touchdowns and was selected to the Allpac-12 first team.
“His presence was a big catalyst of this offense taking a jump about halfway through the season,” Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig said.
Thomas first had to overcome fumbling issues that plagued him in opening games against Weber State and BYU, leaving him with a reduced role in the following weeks.
Over a two-game stretch against San Diego State and Washington to end the opening month of the season, he saw only two carries. Then he broke out with 113 rushing yards and a touchdown in a win over USC in October.
“I think a big red light went on,” Ludwig said, “and Tavion said, ‘I’m going to get this fixed or else I’m not going to play.’ He wants to play. He wants to be an impact player in this program. He identified the issue, and he got the issue corrected.”
The improved ball security has allowed Utah to benefit from one of Thomas’ biggest strengths. He’s a bruising back at 221 pounds and can shed potential tacklers. According to Pro Football Focus, 71% of his rushing yards this season have come after contact.
It was a trait Powell noticed years ago in high school after he switched positions from defensive end to become the team’s starting running back as a junior.
“He’s just a physical runner,” Powell said. “He runs to punish people, and he gets stronger as the game goes on.”
His teammates at Utah observed that same tough running style.
“When he first got on campus, he went and did a workout and I just saw him move and do everything with his thighs,” quarterback Cameron Rising said. “I thought he was going to be special. Once I saw him put on the pads, I knew for sure.”
Watching film of him, Buckeyes secondary coach and defensive play-caller Matt Barnes saw a “horse of a tailback that runs the ball downhill.”
Thomas’ tough running could be an issue for Ohio State’s rush defense, which is coming off its worst performance of the season.
In a 42-27 loss to Michigan that kept the Buckeyes from reaching the College Football Playoff, they gave up a seasonhigh 297 rushing yards.
Wolverines offensive coordinator Josh Gattis labeled them a finesse team in the aftermath of the regular-season finale, pointing out that Minnesota and Oregon fared well against them on the ground earlier in the season.
Ohio State might have a point to prove against Utah after being called out for a lack of toughness.
But Thomas also comes into the Rose Bowl with a chip on his shoulder and is eager to replicate the blueprint laid out weeks ago by the Wolverines.
“I know Michigan was more physical, stuff like that,” Thomas said, “and I feel like we can match up physically. We’re going to be able to run the ball. We just have to do our assignments.”
Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Contact him at jkaufman@dispatch.com or on Twitter @joeyrkaufman.