Tennessee football landed Duke running back Star Thomas out of the transfer portal to help reload its backfield.
Thomas made the announcement Sunday on X, formerly known as Twitter, writing “Rocky Top! Let’s do it.”
The Vols must replace SEC Offensive Player of the Year Dylan Sampson, who declared for the NFL Draft, and rebuild their depth after reserve running backs Cam Seldon and Khalifa Keith transferred.
“Just being around Coach Heup (Josh Heupel), Coach (De’Rail) Sims, they were honest from the very first day he called me in the portal and let me know, like, the situation and what the situation was,” Thomas told 247Sports. “It was just something that I felt like I could be a part of, and that’s what I want to be a part of — real coaches, player’s coaches that like to be around their players and entertain and be around their players a lot. And that kind of drew me to them.”
Thomas is a veteran running back and an all-purpose producer with more than 2,500 yards from scrimmage and 22 TDs in his Division I college career.
Thomas joins Arizona transfer offensive guard Wendell Moe and Alabama transfer receiver Amari Jefferson as UT’s portal additions.
Star Thomas stats, career highlights
Thomas is a 6-foot, 210-pounder from Homer, Louisiana. He led Duke in rushing with 871 yards and seven TDs last season. He also made 20 receptions for 153 yards and one TD.
Thomas has one season of eligibility remaining, which he recently regained when the NCAA Division I Board of Directors granted a blanket waiver for an additional year of eligibility to former junior college transfers.
Thomas played one season at Coffeyville Community College. Then he transferred to New Mexico State, where he accounted for 1,529 yards from scrimmage
In 2023, Thomas was named All-Conference USA second team alongside NMSU teammate Diego Pavia, now Vanderbilt’s quarterback. During that 2023 season, Thomas had 653 yards rushing, 200 yards receiving and six total TDs.
Then Thomas transferred to Duke for the 2024 season. His signature performance came in a 21-20 win over rival North Carolina. He rushed for 166 yards on 30 carries, caught two passes for 45 yards and scored two TDs in that victory.
Where Star Thomas fits into Tennessee backfield
Thomas will have an opportunity to earn a major role in UT’s backfield rotation, which could be a trio in the 2025 season.
Peyton Lewis and DeSean Bishop return after backing up Sampson last season. Bishop rushed for 455 yards and three TDs. Lewis rushed for 339 yards and three TDs.
Freshman running backs Daune Morris and Justin Baker also will debut in spring practice after signing in the 2025 class as early enrollees.
There’s a big void to fill with Sampson heading to the NFL.
Sampson broke UT’s single-season records with 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2024. He led the SEC in rushing yards, touchdowns, points scored (132) and all-purpose yards (1,638).
The biggest contribution from Thomas may be as a receiver out of the backfield if the Vols utilize him in that way.
Thomas made 54 receptions for 504 yards over the past three seasons at two schools. Bishop and Lewis combined for only five receptions for 24 yards last season.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Star Thomas: Tennessee football gets Duke RB out of transfer portal
