Utah Football Gets Good News, Tavion Thomas Set To Return In 2022
Jan 6, 2022, 4:44 PM
Tavion Thomas #9 of the Utah Utes celebrates after scoring a rushing touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter in the Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – A season-ending loss to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl didn’t dampen Tavion Thomas’ enthusiasm for playing in front of the Rice-Eccles Stadium faithful.
The University of Utah’s single-season rushing touchdown leader, Thomas will return to the Utes backfield next season.
Thomas announced his intent to return via the Utah football Twitter account on Thursday, January 6.
Big time! @thiagoothomas9 pic.twitter.com/ct7wATLaOk
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) January 6, 2022
Thomas joined the Utes prior to the 2021 season after transferring from the University of Cincinnati.
In two years with the Bearcats, Thomas posted a pedestrian 689 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018 and 2019. He did not play during the 2020 season.
His role and production skyrocketed with the Utes. After getting only 21 carries in the Utes’ first four games, Thomas took over the lead running back role and thrived.
PAC12 ALL-CONFERENCE
Read: https://t.co/XLzOiUhrfn pic.twitter.com/HY5FXKp2SU
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 7, 2021
A first-team All-Pac-12 honoree, Thomas racked up 1,108 yards rushing and had four games with over 100 yards including a career-high 177 yards in a victory at Stanford on November 5. Thomas set the Utes single-season touchdown record with 21 rushing touchdowns. He also added two receiving touchdowns.
The Utes are scheduled to open their 2022 schedule on the road at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL against the Florida Gators on Saturday, September 3.
