Tennessee added its third player from the transfer portal on Sunday afternoon with the addition of Duke running back Star Thomas.
Thomas announced his commitment to Tennessee with a social media post on X.
“Rocky Top! Let’s do it” #GBO pic.twitter.com/DadJvSn9f1
— Star Thomas (@Star4Thomas) January 19, 2025
More from RTI: Tennessee Football Lands Duke Running Back In Transfer Portal
While Tennessee will return Peyton Lewis and DeSean Bishop, two talented running backs from the 2024 season, Vols head coach Josh Heupel appreciates depth and competition in the running back room. That’s exactly what Thomas’s addition will bring Tennessee and running backs coach De’Rail Sims.
Thomas played at New Mexico State during the 2022 and 2023 seasons where he racked up 525 yards and 653 yards, respectively. By the end of his time with the Aggies, Thomas had tallied 1,178 rushing yards, 351 receiving yards, nine rushing touchdowns, and five receiving touchdowns.
The six-foot, 210-pound running back then transferred to Duke for the 2024 season where he totaled 871 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground as well as 153 yards and one touchdown through the air.
In his career, Thomas has 2,049 rushing yards, 504 receiving yards, and 22 all-purpose touchdowns.
That sounds like the type of player that Heupel can work with, especially considering Thomas’s ability to catch the ball out of the backfield.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights from Star Thomas’s collegiate career as he gets set to join the Tennessee football program soon:
Star Thomas Highlights