Utah operating again Tavion Thomas sprints previous Colorado defenders in an NCAA soccer recreation at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake Metropolis on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Thomas emerged because the Utes’ lead again within the 2021 season and is rated a high 15 operating again in school soccer by 247 Sports activities’ Brad Crawford. Shafkat Anowar, Deseret Information
Tavion Thomas emerged because the lead again for Utah soccer throughout the 2021 season, serving to the Utes end robust on what turned out to be a high 15 group that earned this system’s first Rose Bowl look.
Whereas Thomas completed the season with 1,108 dashing yards and 21 dashing touchdowns — third-most within the nation — his efficiency as soon as the calendar flipped to October actually displayed what the 6-foot-2, 238-pounder brings to the sector.
Over the Utes’ ultimate 9 video games final season, Thomas scored 19 touchdowns — no less than one per recreation, with back-to-back four-touchdown video games.
Throughout that stretch, he additionally averaged 20.3 carries and 108.2 dashing yards per recreation, with a 5.3 per-carry common.
Now, the junior again is incomes recognition as one of many nation’s high operating backs.
247 Sports activities’ Brad Crawford ranked school soccer’s high 25 operating backs, and Thomas got here in at No. 14.
“One of many causes we’ve projected Utah to achieve the Faculty Soccer Playoff this season is as a result of return of Tavion Thomas as one of many Pac-12’s high gamers,” Crawford wrote.
“... He is aware of the expectations are excessive as soon as once more as doubtlessly the Pac-12’s dashing chief in 2022. Utah opens at Florida and has a number of highlight video games on the docket.”
Whereas the Massive Ten, Massive 12 and SEC dominated the highest 10 in Crawford’s record, Thomas is in rivalry to be the very best again within the West.
Of Crawford’s high 25 operating backs, 4 are from the Pac-12. That features:
- No. 24, Xazavian Valladay, Arizona State (a switch from Wyoming).
- No. 17, Travis Dye, USC (a switch from Oregon).
- No. 12, Zach Charbonnet, UCLA.
Thomas could have the prospect to face every of those three, with Utah enjoying at Arizona State on Sept. 24, at UCLA on Oct. 8 and internet hosting USC on Oct. 15.