BCS Bowl Predictions: De'Anthony Thomas Will Be Key to Rose Bowl Win for Ducks

I have a soft spot in my heart for true freshman running back sensation De’Anthony Thomas.

Anyone who is willing to publicly humiliate USC in a press conference covered by the LA Times and shown on local television is going to be a hero in my book. But more than that, Thomas did so by choosing to take his talents to Eugene—the home of my school and the home of my football team. Just like that, Thomas becomes the obvious choice to leapfrog almost everyone on the list for my “favorite Oregon Ducks ever”.

Like other Los Angeles football fans, I’d been following Thomas since he was in high school. His highlights had me excited, even though in my heart I knew he had committed to attend college at USC–the school that, as a childhood UCLA fan, I hated more than anything in the world besides maybe broccoli.

When I ultimately became an Oregon Duck in pursuit to study sports journalism in college, watching the press conference with De’Anthony Thomas coming out in all Oregon swag was one of the highlights of my year. Thomas, who runs a 40-yard dash in an unreasonable 4.41 seconds, was the number one rated running back recruit in the nation and a top-five, five-star recruit in the country. He was seen as having blue chip speed, agility and elusiveness and his highlights from high school made him out to be even more elite.

Thomas, at the college level, had been able to control the game at any point when he had the ball. In his freshman year, he has been lights out in the Pac-12, shattering school records for freshman in total yards and touchdowns with sixteen total touchdowns and 1,921 all-purpose yards on the field.

De’Anthony is explosive. He averages 8.3 yards per carry, and 13.6 yards per reception in the air. With the exception of Arizona and Missouri State, he has scored in every game that he has played in this season (he missed UCLA with a concussion after one reception in the most recent Oregon game).

In his first season as a college football player, Thomas will receive a bit of a warm homecoming as his Oregon Ducks won the Pac-12 against his local UCLA Bruins and go on to face Wisconsin in Los Angeles for the Rose Bowl.

In this game, look for De’Anthony Thomas to repeat the success that he’s had in previous showcases (3 TD’s against Cal, 86 receiving yards and 71 rushing yards against Oregon State, and 10.4 yards per carry and two touchdowns against Arizona State).

With Oregon looking to pull off their first bowl victory under the leadership of Chip Kelly, De’Anthony Thomas will be the offensive weapon that will separate the previous teams from this one.

Once LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner open up the rushing game against the strong but slow Wisconsin defense, look for Darron Thomas to utilize his favorite offensive tool: the young speedster De’Anthony Thomas.

Thomas can be used in the slot, for a slant route, in the tailback, or for a deep run.

He keeps the Ducks perpetually in the game with potential kickoff or punt returns for yardage or touchdowns, and the momentum that shifts in their favor every time that Thomas breaks a run is undeniable.

Coming into this game, media pundits are continually discussing Russell Wilson, Monte Ball and LaMichael James.

The name that they’re missing, however, is De’Anthony Thomas.

Fortunately for Thomas, he has been able to put his early fumble struggles behind him as he's helped the Oregon Ducks lead one of the most elite offensive seasons in the country. With 295.7 yards per game, their production on the ground is is the fifth best in the country. Their 46.2 points per game has been the third highest in college football.

Despite the setbacks of fumbles against a team that proved to be the most elite defensive squad in the nation, Thomas has been able to leave the past where he found it and instead capitalize on his own strengths and athleticism.

Come January 2nd, in the beautiful and sunny 80 degree weather of Los Angeles, California, the Oregon Ducks will use Thomas to their best advantage as they try to pull off the victory against Wisconsin.

I know I’ll be in attendance, rooting among the countless other Ducks fans for the continued success of our young superstar.