Post by DiamondThief on Oct 28, 2016 17:07:21 GMT -8
October 28, 2016 -- The Arizona Rattlers have announced they have signed former Portland Thunder/Steel quarterback Darron Thomas. The signing is, essentially, for training camp, and possibly beyond.
Thomas is a 6'3", 215-pound native of Houston, Texas. While at Oregon, he led the Ducks to the BCS National Championship game in 2011, and a Rose Bowl title the following year. He entered the 2012 NFL draft, but was not selected.
Thomas was the first starting QB in Portland Thunder history. He was originally the second signing announced by the Portland Thunder in October 2013. He started the first two games in Thunder history before giving way to Danny Southwick and, eventually, Kyle Rowley.
Thomas completed 76 of 159 passes for 14 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 2014, Portland's inaugural season. He also rushed for 85 yards and 10 touchdowns. Both numbers led the team that season. During Portland's first-round playoff game against the Arizona Rattlers, he had a pick six while filling in at linebacker due to injuries on the Thunder's defense.
He holds the distinction of scoring the first touchdown in Portland history on a one-yard run in the first quarter of the team's March 17, 2014 game against the San Jose Sabercats.
He began the 2015 season as the backup to Rowley, but got his chance to start in week 8, leading Portland to a 63-47 win over the Los Angeles KISS at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. He completed 20 of 31 passes for 229 yards and 6 touchdowns, and ran for a first quarter touchdown. For the effort, he was voted the Arena Football League's Most Valuable Player for the week. He also was named Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week.
However, his career in Portland suffered a setback the following week at Orlando against the Predators, as he suffered a leg injury in the second quarter after being pushed into a wall. Thomas completed 38 of 58 passes for 374 yards, 11 touchdowns and just a single interception in 2016. He also registered a rushing touchdown.
The former Oregon Duck was set to join the new MLFB, a spring football outdoor football league in early 2016. Fellow former Oregon quarterback Chris Miller was also behind the formation of the league, but it never came to fruition. Thomas later would rejoin the Portland Steel for the 2016 season. He appeared in 10 games last season (one start), completing 25 of 49 passes for 3 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
The Rattlers open their season on Feb. 17 against the defending champion Sioux Falls Storm in South Dakota.
- ANM
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