clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Auburn football recruiting: 5-star RB Roc Thomas commits to Tigers

Gus Malzahn picked up a big-time offensive weapon Friday afternoon.

By Chris Fuhrmeister
Bud Elliott/SB Nation Recruiting photo

Auburn has been on a bit of a recruiting hot streak recently, and it continued Friday with Class of 2014 running back Roc Thomas committed to the Tigers. Thomas is Auburn's 14th commitment for the current cycle.

By all accounts, this is a home run for Auburn. Thomas, out of Oxford High, is rated as a five-star prospect by 247Composite and is ranked as the No. 4 running back in the class. He's listed at 5'11 and between 196 and 204 pounds by the four major recruiting services, and he runs a reported 4.48-second 40-yard dash. He was one of 161 prospects to participate in Nike's elite camp The Opening earlier this summer.

Thomas has a number of offers from around the country. He chose the Tigers over Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Oregon and USC, among others. The commitment moves Auburn up to No. 14 in the 247Composite recruiting rankings.

SB Nation recruiting analyst Bud Elliott has high praise for Thomas, calling him "a dangerous weapon."

At 5'11 and 200 pounds, Thomas runs with good power. It's his agility, quickness and top-end speed which make him such a dangerous weapon, though, because he is slippery between the tackles and a nightmare to tackle in space.

Thomas is also a major threat to catch the football out of the backfield as well as a very difficult cover for opposing linebackers.

All of those attributes would seemingly fit any offense, but they are particularly useful in Auburn's spread offense under new head coach Gus Malzahn because he excels at getting the ball to his players in space.

As you can tell from his Max Preps highlight video below, Elliott's analysis of Thomas appears to be correct. He has the strength, speed and agility to be a star.

More from College and Magnolia:

Share on Fancred

Next Up In Auburn Football