Big Ten star running back announces Big 12 transfer destination
One of the Big Ten’s top running backs is leaving for the Big 12. After leading Minnesota in rushing last season, star running back Ky Thomas is returning to his home-state to play for the Kansas Jayhawks.
“I’m coming home!” Thomas revealed on Twitter, accompanying a video of the running back in Jayhawks gear.
Last season, Thomas helped save the Golden Gophers rushing attack after veteran Mohamed Ibrahim went down with an injury in their first game. While the running back started slow, Thomas was the unquestioned leader of the backfield by the end of the season.
To illustrate, Thomas rushed for 824 yards and six touchdowns over the course of the season. Additionally, the freshman ended the season on a strong note — scoring four of his six touchdowns in the final three games of the season.
Additionally, Thomas helped secure a victory for Minnesota over West Virginia in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. While quarterback Tanner Morgan was largely shut-down by the Mountaineers, the running back led the team’s offense. Against the Big 12 squad, the future Jayhawks running back rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown. Thomas was named the game’s MVP.
Before choosing to join Minnesota, Thomas was recruiting by the Jayhawks. While he may have made a different decision originally, the star running back is deciding to return home to help a rejuvenation of the school’s football program.
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Moreover, Ky Thomas isn’t the only talented Big Ten transfer joining Kansas. Earlier, former Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker and safety Craig Young opted to transfer out of the program in hopes of finding greener pastures — committing to the Jayhawks.
Young announced that he would be entering the transfer portal in early December after spending three years in the program. The redshirt sophomore only played in 132 defensive snaps this season and was primarily used as a hybrid safety linebacker.
Furthermore, Young enjoyed his most productive season at Ohio State this past year. He has a total of 15 tackles, six solos, one pass deflection, and one interception. Young’s interception was a 70-yard pick-six against the Maryland Terrapins in a 66-17 route in early October.
He left the Buckeyes with just 24 career tackles, 13 solos, a pass deflection, and the 70-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Evidently, the Jayhawks are becoming an interesting destination for athletes around the country. Time will tell if it translates to more wins for one of the most maligned programs in the sport.