Oregon vs. Stanford: Why De'Anthony Thomas Will Be the Ducks' Key to Success

When the Oregon Ducks take on the Stanford Cardinal in a Pac-12 showdown with national championship implications, Oregon's true-freshman standout De'Anthony Thomas will be the deciding factor who propels the Ducks to victory. 

If you haven't heard of him before—that will soon change.

According to Rivals.com, he was ranked as the fifth best high school recruit coming out of the 2011 class, and the best overall athlete.

His speed is unsurpassed, his running style is fluid and there are no wasted motions in the lightning quick cuts he uses to keep defenders on their heels.

While those are just words, I'll let the statistics do the talking.

He has compiled 12 total touchdowns as a true freshman in the Ducks' versatile and crowded offense full of playmakers.

He's 18th in the nation with 150.67 all-purpose yards per game.

He's the Ducks' third leading rusher with 351 yards and five touchdowns. He's second on the team in receiving with 362 yards and six touchdowns.

And he's doing all of this without having a true position.

When Chip Kelly, the head coach of the Ducks, was asked where Thomas plays, "Diverse" was his response.

That truly says it all, because Thomas gets reps as a wide receiver, running back, slot back, kick and punt returner.

Heck, he's even the gunner on the punt team, and he thrives at that position—as is evident from this video (my goodness, he is fast).

If your head is spinning from learning about everything that Thomas brings to the table as a true freshman in Oregon's up-tempo offense, imagine how David Shaw, Stanford's head coach, is feeling right about now.

"He's a complete football player," Stanford coach David Shaw said. "He can do a little bit of everything. He's got ridiculous speed. But he can stop and start and change direction. He's not just a straight line guy."

Stanford's defense does not match up well against Oregon's high-octane offense, plain and simple.

While trying to focus on containing LaMichael James, Darron Thomas and the rest of the Ducks starters on offense, it will open holes for Oregon's fastest player, De'Anthony Thomas.

If you see Thomas running in open space tonight, it will be a long day for the Cardinal defense.

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