Every year this happens- you see a few bone-headed decisions when it comes to the NFL Draft and declaring underclassmen, the “what is he thinking?” reaction.
This year it goes to Oregon Ducks QB Darron Thomas. Sure, he’s accomplished a lot. But he’s too small to see over the NFL linemen, his throwing isn’t consistent enough and he shapes up as a 5th-6th round prospect at best. Yes, he’s done quite a bit in college football.
The junior passed for 30 touchdowns against just six interceptions. He also established an Oregon record for career touchdown passes (63) and tied the mark for touchdown passes in a game (six). He’s the 14th rated passer in the nation.
A year after leading the Ducks against Auburn in the Bowl Championship Series title game, Thomas prepares to face the Badgers in the 98th Rose Bowl game.
“I think I’ve improved a lot, just the knowledge of being a quarterback, learning from two years ago, starting with Coach Helfrich, just learning a lot. I’ve overcome a big learning curve just in the pocket. Maybe throwing the ball; I used to throw the ball real hard. Not really accurate, but really just maybe trying to be accurate with the ball a little bit. I take my hat off to my coach teaching me every day,” Thomas said.
Darron talked about running the show in the nation’s #1 offense.
“It’s really fun, because you have a lot of different players that can do a lot of different things, to get the ball in those guys’ hands and let them perform. It’s really easy on me. Because I think it’s just a very neat deal that I get to go out and play with a lot of guys that can do a lot of great things and just put the ball in their hands,” he said.
However, why not come back to Oregon and try to do something special? Because he’s not Matt Barkley. That’s the Pac 12 QB NFL scouts wanted to declare early, not Thomas. Yes, LaMichael James declared and left school early. However, that running back’s decision made sense; for him and the University. Thomas and the Ducks offense will have De’Anthony Thomas and Kenjon Barner to work with.
This decision is the opposite of Andrew Luck’s call. For more on Thomas
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