Auburn Football: How Freshman RB Roc Thomas Can Exceed Expectations in 2014

AUBURN, Ala. — Months before he stepped onto campus for the first time, Roc Thomas had Auburn coaches and fans buzzing about his potential to play from day one in the SEC.

But with seniors Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant filling in the gap left by Tre Mason's departure to the NFL, Thomas watched his first conference game from the sidelines.

High expectations from many Auburn fans began to shift as Artis-Payne and Grant led the way against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

The former 5-star running back and 2013 Mr. Football winner for the state of Alabama didn't hang his head, though.

"I was just being patient, you know, waiting for my name to be called," Thomas said. "I was just sitting back, watching other players, and seeing what coach wanted to be done."

When his name was called, Thomas took full advantage.

After San Jose State fumbled a punt early in the fourth quarter and the Tigers took over on the Spartans' 3-yard line, Thomas took his first collegiate play in for six.

One carry, one touchdown.

"It was great," Thomas said. "We executed as a team, and we got the ball in the end zone."

Thomas finished with nine carries and 51 yards in the fourth quarter. His longest of the game was a 13-yarder that featured a nifty spin move past a San Jose State defender.

One of his fellow running backs said he had been waiting to see what the high-profile true freshman was going to do in his first collegiate action, and Thomas did not let him down.

"I've been looking forward to that coming up this week," Artis-Payne told AL.com's Joel A. Erickson. "I knew they'd get a chance to play...Roc and Peyton [Barber] didn't disappoint."

With two experienced seniors excelling in clearly defined roles ahead of him on the depth chart, carries started to look few and far between for Thomas—even after all the preseason hype turned to talk of a possible redshirt.

Throughout the lowered expectations placed on him after Week 1, Thomas showed against San Jose State that he has the talent to play an important role this season.

While redshirt freshman Barber strictly plays the between-the-tackles role Artis-Payne has already taken control of with back-to-back 100-yard games, Thomas said he could find his opportunities on the outside.

"I'm not trying to rush into anything," Thomas said. "I'm just trying to play my role and get involved in this offense. I think I'm pretty much a role player. I play the same role as Corey Grant, like a sweep guy."

Thomas has the speed and shiftiness to play that spot behind Grant, who is averaging 8.8 yards per touch to start the season.

When Gus Malzahn was asked about Thomas' abilities, the Ledger-Enquirer's Ryan Black reported that the Auburn head coach went with a video game analogy:

But Thomas also got a taste of the every-down role Artis-Payne has and Mason once had in the offense. He followed up his career-opening touchdown run with eight straight carries.

If you take away the fumble on his final carry, Thomas had a fourth quarter that showed he could do it all out of the Auburn backfield.

"He's kind of the in-between [back], but he definitely has good speed and great quickness," offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said Tuesday night. "He can do a lot of the things Corey can do. I think over time, he'll get in the weight room and he'll get bigger. He's still an every-down back right now, but at the same time, he's true freshman in the SEC."

Michael Chang/Getty Images

Malzahn and Lashlee have said the Tigers want three or four running backs in the rotation this season, and Thomas has the versatility to be a solid No. 3 this season.

If the power or speed back go down for a few plays or a few weeks, Thomas can fill either spot and get more carries in one of the nation's best rushing offenses.

He doesn't have the in-game experience to be a key player just yet, but he has the motor, moves and motivation from his teammates.

"It’s great to have a great team behind me and tell me to just be ready for my time," Thomas said. "And I give 100 percent effort every play and every down. I try to make something happen every time I touch the ball."

All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports. All stats courtesy of CFBStats.com.

Justin Ferguson is Bleacher Report's lead Auburn writer. Follow him on Twitter @JFergusonAU.