Utah soccer: Utes will probably be relying on Tavion Thomas once more in 2022

Working again Tavion Thomas is grateful for the yr he has spent in Utah’s soccer program. 

He has definitely discovered a house with the Utes.

“I’ve acquired quite a lot of expertise right here. Every part is slowing down for me,” Thomas mentioned. “I’ve gained some friendships right here, some good relationships right here. I’ve realized the tradition.”

And Utah will probably be relying on him closely this season after he broke the varsity’s single-season dashing landing file with 21 and in addition rushed for greater than 1,000 yards in 2021.

Thomas took fairly a circuitous path to Salt Lake Metropolis. After starring at Dunbar Excessive in Ohio, Thomas signed with Cincinnati. Later, he transferred to Independence Group Faculty. 

A yr in the past Thomas arrived on Utah’s campus and he reported to fall camp a little bit out of form. He needed to work laborious to shed 10 kilos. 

Within the season opener towards Weber State, Thomas rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns — however he additionally fumbled in every of the primary two video games of the season, considerably limiting his taking part in time. He had solely two carries within the subsequent two video games. 

However every little thing modified within the win at USC, the place Thomas ran 16 instances for 113 yards, together with a 43-yard landing dash. 

Towards UCLA, he gained 160 yards and scored 4 touchdowns. Towards Stanford, Thomas rushed for a career-high 177 yards and scored 4 TDs. 

Throughout the season, Thomas appreciated the assist throughout the program for not giving up on him when he was fighting ball safety.

“It’s a blessing to know that my teammates and coaches have began to belief me once more,” he mentioned. “I’m grateful for them giving me one other likelihood and believing in me. That was actually necessary to know they ain’t giving up on me.”

For the season, Thomas earned Pac-12 All-Convention first crew honors, and ranked No. 3 within the FBS in dashing touchdowns. He ran for 1,108 yards on 204 carries. 

Alongside the best way, Thomas established himself as the following standout Ute working again.

Not surprisingly, Thomas was named to the 2022 Doak Walker Award watch record.

“It means lots to me. However proper now I’m centered on the season,” he mentioned of the preseason recognition. “If the awards come, in fact I’d be honored. However I’m attempting to get the season underway and deal with that proper now.”

Whereas Thomas has established himself as an every-down again, the Utes have robust depth at that place, with Micah Bernard, Chris Curry and Jaylon Glover amongst these additionally within the combine. 

“It’s an open competitors and it’s an excellent group,” mentioned offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig. “It’s good however clearly we all know what Tavion Thomas is all about and what a weapon he might be on this offense.”

Thomas embraces the competitors at working again. 

“We’ve acquired to come back out and compete each day. The job ain’t promised,” he mentioned. “You’ve acquired to come back compete and work laborious and do the little issues proper. Whoever will get in can do their factor. Any one in every of us. That’s motivated me.”

First-year Utah working backs coach Quinton Ganther loves the expertise he’s inherited, together with Thomas.

“The factor with me is, I’m going to attempt to push and get each ounce of every little thing they’re able to out of them,” Ganther mentioned. “I don’t need any of them to get snug. I don’t need Tavion to assume he’s made it and get snug and that he doesn’t need to work. One thing like that occurs if the following man up is as productive, I’m not going for it. I need it to be excessive competitors.

“If you get to the NFL stage, you’ll be able to’t get away with sure issues which you can get away with in school. Your unhealthy day may presumably be your final day. I’ve to coach these guys to grasp that it’s a must to carry it each day.”

Left deal with Braeden Daniels and the remainder of the offensive line enjoys blocking for Thomas. 

“Having a man like that working behind you is superior,” Daniels mentioned. “The defenses concern you earlier than you even play them. It’s truthfully nice. He’ll hold working and doing his factor.”

On the primary day of camp, Thomas soaked all of it in, realizing that is his ultimate season of faculty soccer. 

“I really feel like I’m extra centered. I’m extra critical. I need it extra,” he mentioned. “Maintain attacking it day-to-day and have enjoyable with it, too.”

Laura Seitz, Deseret Information