One of Chip Kelly’s old college charges is heading to the NFL.
University of Oregon wide receiver/running back/returner De’Anthony Thomas announced Sunday that he’s entering the NFL Draft. Thomas played two years for Kelly at Oregon, going to BCS bowls both years, and became one of the most exciting players in college football in the system that Kelly created.
Thomas scored 46 touchdowns in three years at Oregon, finding the end zone through the air, on the ground and via both punts and kickoffs. He’ll certainly be looked at for his abilities to make plays in the return game, but the biggest question about Thomas’ transition to the NFL will likely be how to best utilize a player of his size.
Thomas stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 169 pounds, which is on the slight side for an NFL player. He was mostly a running back moonlighting as a receiver at Oregon and will have to show he can handle a wideout role in a professional offense, but his ability to break for a touchdown on every touch will make someone take the risk that he will.