Tavion Thomas Announces His Season Is Over, Will Be Preparing For The NFL
Nov 25, 2022, 1:14 PM
Utah Utes running back Tavion Thomas (9) celebrates his touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY- Utah running back Tavion Thomas announced Friday afternoon his time with the Utes is done due to a toe injury he sustained at Oregon. Thomas says he will now be turning his attention to rehabbing the injury while also preparing for a shot at the NFL.
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To Coach Whitt and the Utah Football Family,
You took a chance on a kid from Dunbar high school in Dayton, Ohio, and I will never forget it. To the fans, thank you for welcoming with open arms and love from the first time I put on a Utah uniform.
Unfortunately, I injured my toe during our previous game. Due to this, I am declaring for the NFL Draft and spending my time rehabbing and training for this next step in my football journey.
I look forward to getting back and dominating in the Shrine Game.
Most importantly, I want to say thank you to every single person that embraced me here and gave me this opportunity that changed my life. I will never forget the moments and memories I have here and I will forever be a Ute.
Bet on yourself and Go Utes,
Tavion Thomas
Thomas As A Ute
Thomas’ time as a Ute has been filled with the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
Thomas was phenomenal his debut last season running for 1,108 yards on 204 carries and a school record of 21 touchdowns helping Utah to their first Pac-12 Championship and Rose Bowl appearance.
2022 did not shape up the same way for the talented back however, mostly due to personal issues both self-inflicted and not, though Whittingham always opted to keep everything in-house with Thomas. This season Thomas only put up 632 yards on 132 carries with seven touchdowns.
Thomas’ best game of the year came against Stanford on Senior Night where he rushed for 180 yards on 22 carries for two touchdowns. His performance would earn him the game ball.
Just recently, Thomas teamed up with fellow former running backs Zack Moss and Jamal Anderson to hand out Thanksgiving turkeys to deserving families in Salt Lake City as a way to say “thank you” to the community for all of their love and support.
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram: @BodkinKSLsports
