Darren Sproles at UGA?...Meet Carlton Thomas

San Diego Charger, Darren Sproles, meet your match. Carlton Thomas, UGA redshirt freshman running back, is fighting for the starting spot and is making some real noise in Athens, GA. So you might be asking...who is Carlton Thomas and why should the SEC care?

Thomas attended Frostproof High in the state of Florida. Thomas has striking similarities of Sproles. Those comparisons shouldn't be taken lightly.

Both are 5-foot-7, 185-190 pounds with tremendous track speed. What separates Sproles and Thomas from the average "track" guy is certain.  They both can change direction faster than a morning water bug on Lake Oconee...a nearby lake in Athens.

Despite Thomas' small frame on a good day, he blew up the recruiting boards on a national scale. As a senior, Thomas accumulated nearly 2,400 yards on the ground and 25 touchdowns: Thomas also lettered four years in track and three years in basketball.

ESPN ranked Thomas as the No. 8 running back in the nation.

As a redshirt, Thomas was the running back for the scout team. Thomas turned heads by blowing up and making big time plays with a less than great scout team line.

In a recent article by Dale Hale at dawgpost.com, Caleb King, whom is competing against Thomas, was quoted as saying ..."I’m going to tell you, watch out for Carlton,” King said. “Carlton Thomas is going to be something special"

Carlton Thomas will make an impact for UGA in the fall. The question is..."Will he ever start in the 2009 season?...In my opinion, yes...in due time.

The majority of people believe he will be a great "change of pace" back, and what NFL player reminds us of this theory?...you guessed it... Darren Sproles. However, many fans believe Sproles should play the same amount as L.T. ... if not more.

As I say..."College Football World...don't be blind sided!" by Carlton Thomas.