Lost in the talks of players like Bridgewater, Manziel, Clowney, Murray and Winston, stands De’Anthony Thomas, perhaps the fastest player in college football and by far one of the most exciting. Too bad he isn’t playing on Saturday when Oregon takes on Colorado.
Thomas injured his right ankle on the first play of the game last week against California. Neither the coaching staff or Thomas seem to be too worried and are taking the side of precaution more than anything seeing as how no one outside of Colorado’s campus expect the Ducks to be panic mode without Black Mamba’s services anyway (yes, that, too, is his nickname).
“I feel like it’s not bad, it’s just a great learning experience and I have to learn off it,” the junior Heisman hopeful said. “I talked with a couple of my family members and they said, ‘When it’s raining out there run straight.'”
As a competitor, missing a game sucks (especially when potential millions ride on the line every week). But rehabbing in Oregon’s training facilities isn’t exactly the worst option in the world either. That and his team is a part of the comical narrative “Who has the more explosive offense – Oregon or the Denver Broncos?” that I actually just made up five seconds ago.*
In all seriousness, consider that the reason why Thomas can afford to sit this one out, despite Colorado being 2-1. Starting next week, however, the #2 Ducks begin to jump into the meat of their schedule which has them facing three top 15 squads within a four week stretch – #15 Washington, #12 UCLA and one of the most anticipated games of the season on November 7 vs. #5 Stanford.
Thomas is averaging eight yards per carry this season which has resulted in 338 yards and six touchdown through three games.
* – Through four games, Oregon’s outscored opponents 239-43.
Photo: Getty