Tavion Thomas NFL Draft

Tavion Thomas

  • RB Utah
  • Junior
  • #118
  • 6'2"
  • 221lbs
  • Prospect
  • Pac-12

Prospect Summary

Tavion Thomas 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

  • Spent two seasons at Cincinnati before transferring to Independence CC in 2020 and then Utah. 
  • In high school, Thomas played basketball and ran track as part of the 2017 state championship 4×100 meter relay team 
  • First team All-Pac-12 selection in 2021. Broke the school record for rushing touchdowns in a season with 21. 

System: 

  • Scheme tendencies: Primarily zone with some gap runs
  • 2022 projected role: Featured RB  

Pros: After settling in at Utah and overcoming some fumbling issues early in 2021, Tavion Thomas got his chance to become the feature back for the Utes and delivered a historic season. Thomas is a thickly-built runner that runs angry and is highly competitive. He is a balanced runner that does well to keep his pads square. While Utah’s offensive line creates plenty of displacement for Thomas to run behind, he showcases excellent vision and the ability to follow and work off his blocks. He’s a highly instinctive runner that has a great feel for cut-back opportunities while showcasing good creativity. At the same time, Thomas is a disciplined runner that knows how to pick his spots while demonstrating good patience. For a bigger back, I’m impressed with how light he is on his feet and how smoothly he can string together moves, work laterally, and stop/start. Thomas is dynamic in short-yardage/goal-line situations. While he doesn’t have elite long speed, he does have a second gear and offers some big-play potential to go with his grind-it-out skill set. 

Cons: Tavion Thomas cleaned up his fumbling issues down the stretch in 2021 but for his career at the FBS level, Thomas fumbles once every 42 carries entering the 2022 season. He was benched after Week Two due to fumbling. Thomas is a taller back that would benefit from running with a more consistent pad level. Thomas’ impact on passing downs has been completely non-existent. Utah didn’t utilize him at all in pass protection and targeted him three times in the passing game all season. He has a lot to prove in terms of ball security, pass protection, and as a receiving threat.

Tavion Thomas NFL Draft Scouting Report by Joe Marino