Thomas headed to JSU

AUBURN | A former five-star signee is leaving the Plains.

Rising junior Racean "Roc" Thomas has informed Auburn coaches of his desire to transfer to Jacksonville State, located just a few miles from his family's home in Oxford, Ala. Since the Gamecocks play in the Championship Subdivision, Thomas will be eligible to play this fall.

"Roc Thomas has asked for his release from Auburn and I have granted his request," coach Gus Malzahn said. "We wish him nothing but the best moving forward."

Thomas always has considered himself a featured tailback, but the Tigers re-assessed him during the winter and came away with a different opinion. Coach Gus Malzahn and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee in March asked Thomas to become a new kind of utility player who splits time between tailback and slot receiver -- with a clear emphasis on catching passes.

That ultimately didn't sit well with Thomas.

His departure ends a challenging spell at Auburn. Thomas was the state's "Mr. Football" in 2013 after a stellar career at Oxford High that yielded a five-star rating from Rivals.com. He was considered a made-to-order tailback for Malzahn's offensive system, where Thomas' lateral agility and straight-line speed could make him an all-conference force.

Instead, Thomas frustrated coaches with notable fumbles in the 2014 Iron Bowl and, ironically, during the final moments of Auburn's overtime victory against JSU last fall. Though Lashlee repeatedly professed confidence in Thomas after that, Thomas nonetheless earned just 29 carries during the Tigers' final 10 games.

He played behind Peyton Barber during most of the season's first half, then fell to the third team (behind Jovon Robinson as well) in November and December.

"Nothing is wrong with Roc,” Lashlee said in November. "He was slowed by those injuries, off and on with the foot and those things. When that happened -- Peyton kind of emerged and then by the time (Thomas) was getting back, Jovon emerged. It's nothing against Roc; he still has a lot of ability and brings a lot to the table.”

Though Barber elected to turn pro earlier this year, Robinson and rising sophomore Kerryon Johnson appear to be the Tigers' preferred options at tailback heading into fall camp.

Thomas earned three carries and caught four passes during the A-Day game, though his initial appearance that afternoon was as a slot receiver.

He finishes his Auburn career with 475 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns along with one touchdown reception.

Senior editors Jeffrey Lee and Bryan Matthews contributed to this report.