How transfer RB Star Thomas got to Tennessee football thanks to former teammate Diego Pavia
Sitting in a chair amid reporters at Tennessee's indoor football facility, the Vols' newest running back admits he didn't expect to be here.
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'I was shocked when I heard it. I didn't believe it at first,' Thomas said about an NCAA rule change that granted him an extra year of eligibility. 'I had to call around and get some facts on it.'
Thomas, who transferred from Duke to Tennessee in January, didn't say whether he called Pavia, Vanderbilt's quarterback. But that's a good bet.
They were teammates at New Mexico State in 2022-23. In December, Pavia challenged the NCAA's eligibility rules in federal court and won a preliminary injunction that granted him an extra year of college football because he started his career in junior college.
Five days later, the NCAA granted a blanket waiver for an additional year of eligibility to former junior college transfers. That included Thomas, who suddenly got a second chance at playing his final year of college football.
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Thomas entered the transfer portal, took inquiries from interested schools and booked a flight to Knoxville.
'(Pavia's case and the NCAA rule change) helped me a lot,' Thomas said. 'So I was like, 'Why not?' I had to come back and try it again. Last season, I did alright. But I didn't have the season that I wanted to have (at Duke) to get me to that next level. I feel like I can do that here (at Tennessee).'
How Star Thomas got his unique name
Thomas has a flashy name but a humble spirit.
His first name is actually Star'Corius, which is a combination of his two uncles' names. Over time, it was shortened to Star.
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Thomas said he knows some people see Star as a big name to live up to.
'But I never thought I had to,' said Thomas, shrugging his shoulders. 'It's just a name.'
That sums up why UT coaches wanted him on their roster. He's got a flashy game as a versatile runner and receiver but an unassuming demeanor.
'You saw a guy that was highly productive at his previous stops, an older guy that's played a lot of football, a guy that brings some maturity into the whole room,' running backs coach De'Rail Sims said. 'We were definitely looking for an older guy because we are still fairly young in that room. So he brought a ton of maturity, a ton of leadership.'
Thomas starred alongside Diego Pavia, then led Duke in rushing
Thomas will turn 24 years old in October, during his sixth college football season. He's been productive at every stop.
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At Coffeyville Community College, he was just shy of 1,000 yards rushing.
At New Mexico State, he accounted for 1,529 yards from scrimmage and 14 TDs in two seasons, earning 2023 All-Conference USA honors. That's where he shared the spotlight with Pavia, the 2023 Conference USA Player of the Year.
AUBURN, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 18: Running back Star Thomas #4 of the New Mexico State Aggies celebrates with quarterback Diego Pavia #10 of the New Mexico State Aggies after scoring a touchdown during the second half of their game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 18, 2023 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by)
Last season, Thomas led Duke in rushing with 871 yards and seven TDs. He also made 20 receptions for 153 yards and one TD.
Thomas could've arrived at Tennessee demanding respect from younger running backs. Instead, he showed it back to them.
'Those guys are pretty seasoned, and they've helped me with a lot of things,' Thomas said. 'We've got a great room. Everyone is eager to learn. There are no egos in there.'
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Sophomore running back DeSean Bishop saw the addition of Thomas as a plus to the position.
'He's someone that's going to push me,' Bishop said. 'And it's good to have another older guy in the room. I'm glad to have him.'
Where Thomas fits in Tennessee running back competition
So there are good vibes in Tennessee's backfield.
But camaraderie alone won't replace the record-breaking production of Dylan Sampson, the 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year. He rushed for 1,491 yards and 22 TDs, both single-season school records, and then declared for the NFL Draft.
Bishop and Peyton Lewis, Sampson's backups, have the early lead in the backfield competition. Bishop rushed for 455 yards and three TDs last season. Lewis rushed for 339 yards and three TDs.
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Freshman running backs Daune Morris and Justin Baker also debuted in spring practice as early enrollees.
Thomas appears to be somewhere in the middle of that mix with plenty of time before the 2025 season. He could challenge Bishop and Lewis for the starting spot. But it's just as likely that he plays well enough to claim one spot in a three-man rotation.
It's too early to tell because Thomas admits that he only recently turned the corner in spring practice. He had to learn UT's playbook, verbiage and signals. Then he had to adjust to the offense's fast tempo.
DESEAN BISHOP: How RB bet on himself from Tennessee walk-on to scholarship
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Fortunately, he has experience making such a transition. This is his fourth football program in the past five years, so he's not overwhelmed.
'The hard part was at the beginning, but I'm way more comfortable now than the first practice,' Thomas said. 'I've always dreamed of playing SEC football, and this is a great opportunity for me to have a chance to play.'
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Star Thomas: Duke transfer got to Tennessee football thanks to Diego Pavia
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