Darron Thomas

{{Short description|American gridiron football player (born 1990)}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

|name=Darron Thomas

|image=DarronThomas.jpg

|caption=Thomas taking a snap against USC in 2010

|current_team=

|number=1

|position=Quarterback

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1990|5|23}}

|birth_place=Houston, Texas, U.S.

|death_date=

|death_place=

|height_ft=6

|height_in=3

|weight_lbs=215

|high_school=Aldine (TX)

|college=Oregon

|undraftedyear=2012

|pastteams=

Calgary Stampeders ({{CFL Year|2012}})*
Lincoln Haymakers (2013)*
Portland Thunder/Steel ({{AFL Year|2014}}–{{AFL Year|2016}})
Arizona Rattlers ({{IFL Year|2017}})
Cedar Rapids Titans ({{IFL Year|2018}})*
Massachusetts Pirates ({{Year|2018}})
Washington Valor ({{AFL Year|2019}})*

|status=

|highlights=

United Bowl champion (2017)
Second-Team All-Pac-10 (2010)

|aflstatlabel1=Comp. / Att.

|aflstatvalue1=138 / 264

|aflstatlabel2=Passing yards

|aflstatvalue2=1,451

|aflstatlabel3=TD–INT

|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 an American former 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. He played professionally for the Portland Thunder/Steel of the Arena Football League (AFL) from 2014 to 2016.

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/bowls10/news/story?id=5995924 |title=Darron Thomas drives the Ducks |date=January 7, 2011 |author=Tom Friend |publisher=ESPN Internet Ventures |work=ESPN |access-date=October 30, 2013}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://blog.nola.com/tpsports/2007/08/lsu_gets_commitment_from_texas.html |title=LSU gets commitment from Texas QB |date=August 21, 2007 |author=Kevin Spain |publisher=NOLA Media Group. |work=www.nola.com |access-date=October 30, 2013 |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101134440/http://blog.nola.com/tpsports/2007/08/lsu_gets_commitment_from_texas.html |url-status=dead }} When the LSU recruiting class for quarterbacks became 3 members, Thomas de-committed.{{cite news |url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/andy_staples/01/07/oregon-players-as-recruits/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101100406/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/andy_staples/01/07/oregon-players-as-recruits/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 1, 2013 |title=How Oregon's main contributors rated as recruits |author=Andy Staple |date=January 7, 2011 |publisher=Time Inc. |work=www.sportsillustrated.com |access-date=October 30, 2013}}

Thomas committed to the University of Oregon on December 14, 2007,{{cite web |title=Darron Thomas |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/footballrecruiting/football/recruiting/player-Darron-Thomas-58304;_ylt=Agz9Qbp0XbH3vajdYtBVJvRDPZB4 |publisher=Yahoo! |work=www.rivals.com |access-date=October 30, 2013}} choosing Oregon over scholarships from Florida, LSU, Miami (FL), Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, and Oklahoma State.{{cite web |url=http://oregon.scout.com/a.z?s=128&p=8&c=1&nid=2956047 |title=Darron Thomas |publisher=Microsoft |work=www.scout.com |access-date=October 30, 2013}}

{{College athlete recruit entry

| recruit = Darron Thomas

| position = QB

| hometown = Aldine, Texas

| highschool = Aldine High School

| feet = 6

| inches = 4

| weight = 195

| 40 = 4.52

| commitdate = December 14, 2007

| scout stars = 4

| rivals stars = 4

| espn grade = 80

}}

{{College athlete recruit end

| 40 =

| year = 2008

| rivals ref title = Oregon Football Commitments

| scout ref title = 2008 Oregon Football Commits

| espn ref title = ESPN

| rivals school = oregon

| scout s = 128

| espn schoolid = 2483

| scout overall = 15 (QB)

| rivals overall = 6 (QB), 43 (TX)

| espn overall = 17 (ATH)

| accessdate = October 30, 2013

| bball =

}}

College career

File:Ducks on offense at Oregon at Cal 2010-11-13 3.jpg

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.{{Cite web |last=Goe |first=Ken |date=2010-09-03 |title=Oregon's Darron Thomas isn't the quarterback you remember from Boise State rally; he's better |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2010/09/oregons_darron_thomas_isnt_the.html |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=OregonLive.com |language=en}} Thomas tossed three touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to rally Oregon from a 24-point deficit. The Ducks lost to Boise State 37–32 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.

=2011 BCS National Championship=

After redshirting the 2009 season, Thomas became the starting quarterback for the Ducks in 2010{{cite web |title=#1 Darron Thomas Biography |publisher=GoDucks.com |access-date=September 4, 2010 |url=http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=1550474 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822070123/http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=1550474 |archive-date=August 22, 2010 }} after previous starter Jeremiah Masoli was suspended for the 2010 season and eventually dismissed from the team.

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{{cite web |url=http://www.uclabruins.com/fls/30500/old_site/pdf/m-footbl/2010All-Pac-10.pdf?DB_OEM_ID=30500 |title=PAC-10 FOOTBALL AWARDS AND ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM ANNOUNCED |date=December 7, 2010 |publisher=Pac-10 Conference |work=www.uclabruins.com |access-date=October 30, 2013}} and the co-recipient of the Skeie's Award as the team's most outstanding player.{{Cite web|url=http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=1550474|title=Darron Thomas - Football}}

=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=

2008 \|\| Oregon \| 5 \|\| 16 \|\| 33 \|\| 48.5 \|\| 268 \|\| 3 \|\| 1 \|\| 140.6 \|\| 13 \|\| 27 \|\| 2.1 \|\| 1
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
style="background:#18453b;color:#fce122;" \| colspan="3"\|	colspan="7" \| Passing	colspan="4"\| Rushing
style="background:#18453b;color:#fce122;" \| Season	Team	GP	Cmp	Att	Pct	Yds	TD	Int	Rtg	Att	Yds	Avg	TD
2010 \|\| Oregon \| 13 \|\| 222 \|\| 361 \|\| 61.5 \|\| 2,881 \|\| 30 \|\| 9 \|\| 151.0 \|\| 93 \|\| 486 \|\| 5.2 \|\| 5
2011 \|\| Oregon \| 13 \|\| 211 \|\| 339 \|\| 62.2 \|\| 2,761 \|\| 33 \|\| 7 \|\| 158.7 \|\| 56 \|\| 206 \|\| 3.7 \|\| 3
colspan="2"\| 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profilexnews.php?pyid=84638&draftyear=2012&genpos=QB | title=Darron Thomas | publisher=nfldraftscout.com | access-date=August 29, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920144001/http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/profilexnews.php?pyid=84638&draftyear=2012&genpos=QB | archive-date=September 20, 2016 | url-status=dead }}

{{NFL predraft

| height ft = 6

| height in = 2+5/8

| weight = 220

| dash = 4.80

| ten split = 1.66

| twenty split = 2.79

| shuttle = 4.28

| cone drill = 7.17

| vertical = 36

| broad ft = 10

| broad in = 1

| bench = 14

| arm span = 32+7/8

| hand span = 9+1/2

| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/darron-thomas?id=2533549 |title=NFL Events: Combine Player Profiles - Darron Thomas |website=NFL.com |access-date=April 11, 2020 |archive-date=June 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618062448/http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/darron-thomas?id=2533549 |url-status=dead }}

}}

=Calgary Stampeders=

On October 9, 2012, Thomas signed a practice roster agreement with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League.{{cite web |url=http://www.stampeders.com/article/four-added-to-practice-roster |title=Four added to practice roster |date=October 9, 2012 |website=Stampeders.com |access-date=August 19, 2013 |archive-date=October 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016050901/http://www.stampeders.com/article/four-added-to-practice-roster |url-status=dead }}

=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.{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4669033 |title=Haymakers Sign Former Oregon Ducks QB Darron Thomas |date=August 21, 2013 |publisher=OurSports Central |work=www.oursportscentral.com |access-date=August 21, 2013}}

=Portland Thunder/Steel=

Thomas was assigned to the Portland Thunder of the Arena Football League on October 10, 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4692158 |title=Portland Lands Former Oregon QB Darron Thomas |date=October 11, 2013 |publisher=OurSports Central |work=www.oursportscentral.com |access-date=October 11, 2013}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.oregonlive.com/portland-thunder/index.ssf/2014/06/darron_thomas_continues_quest.html#incart_river |title=Darron Thomas continues quest to regain success from Oregon days despite several pitfalls |author=Aaron Kasinitz |date=June 30, 2014 |publisher=The Oregonian |work=www.oregonlive.com |access-date=July 1, 2014}} Entering his second season with the Thunder in 2015, Thomas was once again the backup quarterback to Kyle Rowley.{{cite web |url=http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/258369-129775-darron-thomas-looks-good-in-brief-qb-duty-for-portland-thunder |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429150743/http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/258369-129775-darron-thomas-looks-good-in-brief-qb-duty-for-portland-thunder |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 29, 2015 |title=Darron Thomas looks good in brief QB duty for Portland Thunder |author=Steve Brandon |date=April 28, 2015 |publisher=Portland Tribune |work=www.portlandtribune.com |access-date=April 29, 2015}}

Thomas participated in the NFL's first Veteran Combine in March 2015.{{cite web | url=http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2015/03/after_taking_another_shot_at_t.html | title=After taking another shot at the NFL, former Duck Darron Thomas now waits | publisher=oregonlive.com | date=March 25, 2015 | access-date=April 26, 2016 | author=Greif, Andrew}} On January 27, 2016, he was named head coach Chris Miller's franchise player in Major League Football.{{cite web|url=http://www.csnnw.com/more/darron-thomas-afl-run-over-teams-chris-miller-mlfb |title=Darron Thomas leaving AFL, teams up with Chris Miller in MLFB |publisher=csnnw.com |date=January 28, 2016 |access-date=April 26, 2016 |author=Socotch, Peter |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426231325/http://www.csnnw.com/more/darron-thomas-afl-run-over-teams-chris-miller-mlfb |archive-date=April 26, 2016 }} The team was to be called the Oregon Crash but the season never started.{{cite web|url=http://portlandtribune.com/pt/256-sports/kerry-eggers/302197-180066-a-thankful-mark-mason-a-battling-greg-ballard-and-a-football-league-on-hold |title=A thankful Mark Mason, a battling Greg Ballard, and a football league on hold |publisher=portlandtribune.com |date=April 14, 2016 |access-date=April 30, 2016 |author=Eggers, Kerry |url-status=unfit |archive-url=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 |archive-date=April 30, 2016 }}

Thomas was assigned to the Portland Steel on April 25, 2016.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafan.com/news/?page=pressrel&article=13127 | title=Steel Sign Former Oregon Quarterback Darron Thomas | publisher=arenafan.com | date=April 25, 2016 | access-date=April 26, 2016}} 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.{{cite web | url=http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/051016aaa.html | title=Steel Fall Behind Early Against LA KISS, Lose 66-27 | publisher=arenafootball.com | date=May 10, 2016 | access-date=December 6, 2016 | archive-date=June 2, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602222936/http://www.arenafootball.com/sports/a-footbl/spec-rel/051016aaa.html | url-status=usurped }}

=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.{{cite web | url=http://goifl.com/sports/fball/2016-17/teams/arizonarattlers?view=lineup | title=Arizona Rattlers | publisher=goifl.com | access-date=July 5, 2017 | url-status=bot: unknown | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626200152/http://goifl.com/sports/fball/2016-17/teams/arizonarattlers?view=lineup | archive-date=June 26, 2017 }} On July 8, the Rattlers defeated the Sioux Falls Storm in the United Bowl by a score of 50–41.{{cite web | url=http://arizonasports.com/story/1170633/rattlers-sioux-falls-championship-ifl-united-bowl/ | title=Rattlers survive rally from Sioux Falls to capture IFL United Bowl title | publisher=arizonasports.com | date=July 8, 2017 | access-date=August 20, 2017 | author=Marotta, Vince | url-status=bot: unknown | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821012547/http://arizonasports.com/story/1170633/rattlers-sioux-falls-championship-ifl-united-bowl/ | archive-date=August 21, 2017 }}

=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.{{cite web |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/arena/rattlers/2018/02/05/qb-jordan-gehrke-hopes-next-local-player-help-arizona-rattlers-win-title/309507002/ |archive-url=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/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 29, 2020 |title=QB Jordan Gehrke hopes to be next local player to help Arizona Rattlers win title |author=Richard Obert |website=AZCEntral.com |date=February 5, 2018}} Thomas was released by the Titans on February 21, 2018.{{cite web | url=http://goifl.com/transactions/2016-17/2018_Transactions | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326211752/http://goifl.com/transactions/2016-17/2018_Transactions | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 26, 2018 | title=Transactions | publisher=goifl.com | access-date=March 26, 2018}}

=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=

rowspan="2"\| Year ! rowspan="2"\| Team ! colspan="7"\| Passing ! colspan="3"\| Rushing
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{{abbr\|Cmp\|Passes completed}}	{{abbr\|Att\|Passes attempted}}	{{abbr\|Pct\|Completion percentage}}	{{abbr\|Yds\|Passing yards}}	{{abbr\|TD\|Passing touchdowns}}	{{abbr\|Int\|Interceptions}}	{{abbr\|Rtg\|Passer rating}}	{{abbr\|Att\|Rushing attempts}}	{{abbr\|Yds\|Rushing yards}}	{{abbr\|TD\|Rushing touchdowns}}
2014	Portland \| 75 \|\| 157 \|\| 47.8 \|\| 818 \|\| 13 \|\| 9 \|\| 60.4 \|\| 37 \|\| 82 \|\| 10
2015	Portland \| 38 \|\| 58 \|\| 65.5 \|\| 374 \|\| 11 \|\| 1 \|\| 115.9 \|\| 9 \|\| 12 \|\| 1
2016	Portland \| 25 \|\| 49 \|\| 51.0 \|\| 259 \|\| 3 \|\| 5 \|\| 42.4 \|\| 1 \|\| 2 \|\| 0
colspan="2"\| Career{{cite web \| url=http://www.arenafan.com/players/12853/ \| title=Darron Thomas \| publisher=arenafan.com \| access-date=November 26, 2016}}	138	264	52.3	1,451	27	15	70.4	47	96	11

References

External links

[https://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/378502 ESPN profile]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20101222191116/http://www.darronthomas.com/ Official website]
[https://web.archive.org/web/20100822070123/http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=1550474 GoDucks.com biography]

Category:Living people

Category:1990 births

Category:American football quarterbacks

Category:Oregon Ducks football players

Category:Calgary Stampeders players

Category:Lincoln Haymakers players

Category:Portland Thunder players

Category:Portland Steel players

Category:Players of American football from Houston

Category:Arizona Rattlers players

Category:Cedar Rapids River Kings players

Category:Massachusetts Pirates players

Category:Washington Valor players

Category:Canadian football quarterbacks

Category:Players of Canadian football from Houston

rowspan="2"\| Year ! rowspan="2"\| Team ! colspan="7"\| Passing ! colspan="3"\| Rushing
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
{{abbr\|Cmp\|Passes completed}}	{{abbr\|Att\|Passes attempted}}	{{abbr\|Pct\|Completion percentage}}	{{abbr\|Yds\|Passing yards}}	{{abbr\|TD\|Passing touchdowns}}	{{abbr\|Int\|Interceptions}}	{{abbr\|Rtg\|Passer rating}}	{{abbr\|Att\|Rushing attempts}}	{{abbr\|Yds\|Rushing yards}}	{{abbr\|TD\|Rushing touchdowns}}
2014	Portland \| 75 \|\| 157 \|\| 47.8 \|\| 818 \|\| 13 \|\| 9 \|\| 60.4 \|\| 37 \|\| 82 \|\| 10
2015	Portland \| 38 \|\| 58 \|\| 65.5 \|\| 374 \|\| 11 \|\| 1 \|\| 115.9 \|\| 9 \|\| 12 \|\| 1
2016	Portland \| 25 \|\| 49 \|\| 51.0 \|\| 259 \|\| 3 \|\| 5 \|\| 42.4 \|\| 1 \|\| 2 \|\| 0
colspan="2"\| Career{{cite web \| url=http://www.arenafan.com/players/12853/ \| title=Darron Thomas \| publisher=arenafan.com \| access-date=November 26, 2016}}	138	264	52.3	1,451	27	15	70.4	47	96	11