Racean "Roc" Thomas, a true freshman running back for the Auburn Tigers, comes into the 2014 season as the 23rd ranked overall recruit and the fifth best running back in the country according to 247sports.com. Thomas was named 2013 Alabama Gatorade Player of the Year in December of his senior season at Oxford (Ala.) High School.
The Oxford Yellow Jackets ended the 2013 season with a record of 8-2 and they saw their All-American Thomas finish with a trip to the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.
Thomas's signature performance came Nov. 1, 2013, in which he rushed for 414 yards and five touchdowns. The five-star recruit amassed 2,211 yards, 32 touchdowns and averaged 9.8 yards per carry in his last season.
With senior backs Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant at the top of the depth chart, Thomas is not expected to start any games this season.
However, head coach Gus Malzahn said earlier this year, "We've had some success in the past with true freshmen running backs being successful in our offense."
According to Thomas, he has been learning from the experienced starters Artis-Payne and Grant at practice and during games.
"They have way more experience in the offense than I do," Thomas said. "I just try to listen to them and learn all I can from those guys."
Thomas said he is comfortable with his current role in the offense and understands his time will eventually come.
"I'm not trying to rush into anything," Thomas said. "I'm just trying to play my role and get involved in this offense."
When asked about how Thomas fits in, Lashlee said, "We'll see what Roc's role is. He will be an every-down back. He's not that small, he's still 5'11", close to 200 pounds, so he's a thick kid."
Artis-Payne has been impressed with Thomas' abilities at running back so far.
"He's really good," Artis-Payne said. "Explosive, he's quick, he has good speed, he's everything he's advertised to be. He'll be a real good player here, I know that."
Thomas has already received a chance to showcase his skills on the field, especially when he made a statement when his first college carry was a three-yard touchdown run in the San Jose State game, where he finished with 51 yards on nine carries in just one quarter.
"I was just being patient, you know, waiting for my name to be called," Thomas said. "I'm sitting back, watching other players, and seeing what Coach (Malzahn) wanted to be done."
Although Thomas is not a starter, he has already gotten more experience than the majority of true freshmen and now knows what it's like to play in front of capacity Jordan-Hare Stadium crowd, as he did in the win against San Jose State.
"Just butterflies, you know," Thomas said. "Just being anxious and going in with all the fans around you and all the loudness while trying not to mess up. I felt a lot of emotions going in, but I just tried not to let them overwhelm me."
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