Oregon Ducks QB Darron Thomas, the triggerman of Chip Kelly’s nation-leading offense, isn’t quite as well-known as his Heisman Trophy finalist halfback, LaMichael James. But Thomas has been as critical to Oregon’s success as any other player has.
Producing the nation’s 34th-highest total offense figure is impressive, but keep in mind his role as a distributor. If statisticians somehow could value option football the same way they do the passing game, Thomas’ role in delivering the ball to James when it’s most beneficial would be more appreciated.
He’s also 17th nationally in passer rating and throwing only seven interceptions — despite playing a tough Pac-10 schedule.
And he could’ve wound up at either LSU or Florida.
The Tigers had Thomas as a commit in 2008, but also brought on Jordan Jefferson and another quarterback. The Gators also offered him, but had John Brantley and Cam Newton on the roster. Had Thomas gone to Florida he could’ve done a much more convincing job than Brantley of running through the death shudders of Steve Addazio’s option offense than Brantley could, but it still would’ve been a waste of talent.
Still, can you imagine Newton and Thomas taking on the multi-QB gimmickry Urban Meyer shoehorned into Florida’s 2010 attack?