Darron Thomas Explained

Darron Thomas should not be confused with Darren Thomas.

Darron Thomas
Number:1
Position:Quarterback
Birth Date:23 May 1990
Birth Place:Houston, Texas, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:3
Weight Lbs:215
High School:Aldine (TX)
College:Oregon
Undraftedyear:2012
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Aflstatlabel1:Comp. / Att.
Aflstatvalue1:138 / 264
Aflstatlabel2:Passing yards
Aflstatvalue2:1,451
Aflstatlabel3:TDINT
Aflstatvalue3:27–15
Aflstatlabel4:QB rating
Aflstatvalue4:70.44
Aflstatlabel5:Rushing touchdowns
Aflstatvalue5:11
Cfl-Archive:https://web.archive.org/web/20130507082455/http://www.cfl.ca/roster/show/id/5565
Afl:12853

Darron Varnell Thomas (born May 23, 1990) is a former American football quarterback. He was the starting quarterback for the University of Oregon football team that reached the 2011 BCS National Championship Game and won the 2012 Rose Bowl.

Early life

Thomas was born in Houston, Texas, on May 23, 1990, to Latina Thomas and Darren Waters. Thomas attended Aldine High School in Aldine, Texas.[1] As a freshman at Aldine, Thomas played as a running back. During summer practice before Thomas' sophomore year, Aldine head coach, Bob Jones, had the idea of switching Thomas to quarterback to run his spread offense. Thomas was opposed to the switch, but made it anyway. During his senior season, Thomas verbally committed to Louisiana State University.[2] When the LSU recruiting class for quarterbacks became 3 members, Thomas de-committed.[3]

Thomas committed to the University of Oregon on December 14, 2007,[4] choosing Oregon over scholarships from Florida, LSU, Miami (FL), Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma State.[5]

College career

Thomas completed his career at Oregon with a 24–3 record as a starter, leading the Ducks to two consecutive Pac-12 Championships, including appearances in two BCS Bowl games.

Just months removed from Aldine High in Houston, Thomas came off the bench as a true freshman to lead a stirring second-half rally against Boise State in his first collegiate game.[6] Thomas tossed three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to rally Oregon from a 24-point deficit. The Ducks lost to Boise State 32–27 but his unexpected debut and impressive performance led many fans to believe he would be the true successor to Dennis Dixon, however, he would continue to backup Jeremiah Masoli for the remainder of the 2008 season.

After redshirting the 2009 season, Thomas became the starting quarterback for the Ducks in 2010[7] after previous starter Jeremiah Masoli was suspended for the 2010 season and eventually dismissed from the team.

2011 BCS National Championship

In his first season as a starter, Thomas threw for 2,881 yards and 30 touchdowns, leading Oregon to a 12–0 regular season record, and an appearance in the 2011 BCS National Championship Game against Auburn. In that game, Thomas threw for 363 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions. Auburn would ultimately go on to win 22–19, with a last-second field goal. After the season, Thomas was named as a 2nd Team All-Pac-10 Conference selection at quarterback[8] and the co-recipient of the Skeie's Award as the team's most outstanding player.[9]

2012 Rose Bowl

During the 2011 season, Thomas threw for 2,761 yards, and a single season school record of 33 touchdowns, leading the Ducks to the 2012 Rose Bowl, in which Thomas threw for 268 yards and 3 touchdowns to propel Oregon to a 45–38 victory over Wisconsin. The Ducks finished the season 12–2 (8–1 Pac-12) with a #4 final season ranking.

College statistics

Passing Rushing
Season Team GP Cmp Att Pct Yds TD Int Rtg Att Yds Avg TD
Oregon5 16 33 48.5 268 3 1 140.6 13 27 2.1 1
Oregon13 222 361 61.5 2,881 30 9 151.0 93 486 5.2 5
Oregon13 211 339 62.2 2,761 33 7 158.7 56 206 3.7 3
Career 31 449 733 61.3 5,910 66 17 154.1 162 719 4.4 9

Professional career

Pre-draft

At the end of his junior season, Thomas surprisingly chose to forgo his senior year to enter the 2012 NFL draft but was neither drafted nor signed as an undrafted free agent by any NFL team. He was rated the 17th best quarterback in the 2012 Draft by NFLDraftScout.com.[10]

Calgary Stampeders

On October 9, 2012, Thomas signed a practice roster agreement with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.[11]

Lincoln Haymakers

He would later sign with the Lincoln Haymakers of the Champions Professional Indoor Football League but never played a game for the Haymakers.[12]

Portland Thunder/Steel

Thomas was assigned to the Portland Thunder of the Arena Football League on October 10, 2013.[13] Thomas fits in with the ownership's promise of getting players with Oregon ties. Thomas started the first three games of the season for the Thunder before being benched in favor of Danny Southwick. Thomas became the primary back up for the Thunder since losing his starting position.[14] Entering his second season with the Thunder in 2015, Thomas was once again the backup quarterback to Kyle Rowley.[15]

Thomas participated in the NFL's first Veteran Combine in March 2015.[16] On January 27, 2016, he was named head coach Chris Miller's franchise player in Major League Football.[17] The team was to be called the Oregon Crash but the season never started.[18]

Thomas was assigned to the Portland Steel on April 25, 2016.[19] He made his only start of the season on May 10, 2016, against the Los Angeles Kiss, completing 25 of 49 passes for 259 yards, 3 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in a 66–27 loss.[20]

Arizona Rattlers

On October 28, 2016, Thomas signed with the Arizona Rattlers, who joined the Indoor Football League a week prior. Thomas played in 5 games for the Rattlers in 2017, completing 54 of 93 passes for 576 yards, 13 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. He also scored four rushing touchdowns.[21] On July 8, the Rattlers defeated the Sioux Falls Storm in the United Bowl by a score of 50–41.[22]

Cedar Rapids Titans

On February 5, 2018, AZ Central Sports columnist Richard Obert reported that Thomas was traded to the Cedar Rapids Titans in exchange for local Arizona product Jordan Gehrke.[23] Thomas was released by the Titans on February 21, 2018.[24]

Massachusetts Pirates

On May 17, 2018, Thomas signed with the Massachusetts Pirates of the National Arena League.

Washington Valor

Thomas was assigned to the Washington Valor in 2019, but he was placed on reassignment on April 19, 2019.

AFL career statistics

YearTeamPassingRushing
Portland75 157 47.8 818 13 9 60.4 37 82 10
Portland38 58 65.5 374 11 1 115.9 9 12 1
Portland25 49 51.0 259 3 5 42.4 1 2 0
Career[25] 138 264 52.3 1,451 27 15 70.4 47 96 11

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Darron Thomas drives the Ducks . January 7, 2011 . Tom Friend . ESPN Internet Ventures . . October 30, 2013.
  2. Web site: LSU gets commitment from Texas QB . August 21, 2007 . Kevin Spain . NOLA Media Group. . www.nola.com . October 30, 2013 . November 1, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131101134440/http://blog.nola.com/tpsports/2007/08/lsu_gets_commitment_from_texas.html . dead .
  3. News: How Oregon's main contributors rated as recruits . Andy Staple . January 7, 2011 . Time Inc. . www.sportsillustrated.com . October 30, 2013.
  4. Web site: Darron Thomas . Yahoo! . www.rivals.com . October 30, 2013.
  5. Web site: Darron Thomas . Microsoft . www.scout.com . October 30, 2013.
  6. Web site: Goe . Ken . 2010-09-03 . Oregon's Darron Thomas isn't the quarterback you remember from Boise State rally; he's better . 2024-06-15 . OregonLive.com . en.
  7. Web site: #1 Darron Thomas Biography . GoDucks.com . September 4, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100822070123/http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=1550474 . August 22, 2010 .
  8. Web site: PAC-10 FOOTBALL AWARDS AND ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM ANNOUNCED . December 7, 2010 . Pac-10 Conference . www.uclabruins.com . October 30, 2013.
  9. Web site: Darron Thomas - Football.
  10. Web site: Darron Thomas . nfldraftscout.com . August 29, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160920144001/http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profilexnews.php?pyid=84638&draftyear=2012&genpos=QB . September 20, 2016 . dead .
  11. Web site: Four added to practice roster . October 9, 2012 . Stampeders.com . August 19, 2013 . October 16, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016050901/http://www.stampeders.com/article/four-added-to-practice-roster . dead .
  12. Web site: Haymakers Sign Former Oregon Ducks QB Darron Thomas . August 21, 2013 . OurSports Central . www.oursportscentral.com . August 21, 2013.
  13. Web site: Portland Lands Former Oregon QB Darron Thomas . October 11, 2013 . OurSports Central . www.oursportscentral.com . October 11, 2013.
  14. Web site: Darron Thomas continues quest to regain success from Oregon days despite several pitfalls . Aaron Kasinitz . June 30, 2014 . The Oregonian . www.oregonlive.com . July 1, 2014.
  15. Web site: Darron Thomas looks good in brief QB duty for Portland Thunder . Steve Brandon . April 28, 2015 . Portland Tribune . www.portlandtribune.com . April 29, 2015.
  16. Web site: After taking another shot at the NFL, former Duck Darron Thomas now waits . oregonlive.com . March 25, 2015 . April 26, 2016 . Greif, Andrew.
  17. Web site: Darron Thomas leaving AFL, teams up with Chris Miller in MLFB . csnnw.com . January 28, 2016 . April 26, 2016 . Socotch, Peter . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20160426231325/http://www.csnnw.com/more/darron-thomas-afl-run-over-teams-chris-miller-mlfb . April 26, 2016 .
  18. Web site: A thankful Mark Mason, a battling Greg Ballard, and a football league on hold . portlandtribune.com . April 14, 2016 . April 30, 2016 . Eggers, Kerry . unfit . https://web.archive.org/web/20160430172929/http://portlandtribune.com/pt/256-sports/kerry-eggers/302197-180066-a-thankful-mark-mason-a-battling-greg-ballard-and-a-football-league-on-hold . April 30, 2016 .
  19. Web site: Steel Sign Former Oregon Quarterback Darron Thomas . arenafan.com . April 25, 2016 . April 26, 2016.
  20. Web site: Steel Fall Behind Early Against LA KISS, Lose 66-27 . arenafootball.com . May 10, 2016 . December 6, 2016 . June 2, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160602222936/http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/051016aaa.html . dead .
  21. Web site: Arizona Rattlers . goifl.com . July 5, 2017 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20170626200152/http://goifl.com/sports/fball/2016-17/teams/arizonarattlers?view=lineup . June 26, 2017 .
  22. Web site: Rattlers survive rally from Sioux Falls to capture IFL United Bowl title . arizonasports.com . July 8, 2017 . August 20, 2017 . Marotta, Vince . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20170821012547/http://arizonasports.com/story/1170633/rattlers-sioux-falls-championship-ifl-united-bowl/ . August 21, 2017 .
  23. Web site: QB Jordan Gehrke hopes to be next local player to help Arizona Rattlers win title . https://web.archive.org/web/20200929182202/https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/arena/rattlers/2018/02/05/qb-jordan-gehrke-hopes-next-local-player-help-arizona-rattlers-win-title/309507002/ . dead . September 29, 2020 . Richard Obert . AZCEntral.com . February 5, 2018.
  24. Web site: Transactions . https://web.archive.org/web/20180326211752/http://goifl.com/transactions/2016-17/2018_Transactions . dead . March 26, 2018 . goifl.com . March 26, 2018.
  25. Web site: Darron Thomas . arenafan.com . November 26, 2016.