Scarblog: 5-star Mr. Football Roc Thomas leaves Auburn

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/KevinScarbinsky/status/738473401917034497

There's no positive way to spin it no matter how much you bleed orange and blue. Roc Thomas asking for and receiving his release to transfer from Auburn after two less-than-stellar seasons isn't a good look. For him or for Auburn.

Thomas isn't just the latest player to leave the program since the end of the disappointing 2015 season with eligibility and potential remaining. He's another high-profile Tiger who didn't pan out as expected on the Plains.

The running back from Oxford was the second of three straight winners of Alabama's Mr. Football award to sign with the Tigers, and so far, none of the three has developed into a breakout star.

Now Thomas never will. At least not at Auburn. Maybe the light will go on for him at Jacksonville State playing for his former Oxford High School coach, John Grass.

Jeremy Johnson, Mr. Football 2012, lost his starting job at quarterback last season, and odds are against him regaining it during his senior season this year.

Since Gus Malzahn returned as head coach - not counting the 2016 class that has yet to suit up - Auburn has signed and played seven five-star recruits, according to Rivals.com.

Not one of them has earned postseason honors for first-team All-SEC or first-team All-America.

Not 2013 five-stars Montravius Adams or Carl Lawson. Not 2014 five-stars Thomas, Duke Williams or Tre Williams. Not 2015 five-stars Byron Cowart or Jovon Robinson.

That's a high standard, but shouldn't much be expected from the top-rated signees?

Those players have contributed in varying ways, and six of the seven have been either part-time or full-time starters, but for a variety of reasons ranging from injuries to attitude and behavior to opportunity, none of them has completely lived up to the billing that accompanied him to Auburn.

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/Carvell_AJC/status/742500798555381761

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/743806670002917379

"We were excited about him there," Burns told AL.com on Thursday before speaking to the Clarke Washington Auburn Club annual meeting in Jackson.

Thomas was sure to factor into the team's plans in the slot had he stuck around. Instead, he asked for his release last month and this week signed his financial aid agreement with Jacksonville State, where he was reunited with his former Oxford coach John Grass, the current Gamecocks head coach.

"Roc did great for us," Burns said. "We wish him the best, but it's just one of those things. It's part of college football. When someone decides to leave, we're all for it; we want what's best for them, so that's what happened and we wish him the best."

[jbcarol]

https://twitter.com/aldotcomSports/status/771798611965440004

Former Auburn running back Roc Thomas scored three rushing touchdowns in his debut with his new team Thursday night, helping Jacksonville State beat North Alabama 31-12.

Thomas finished with 71 yards rushing and 53 yards receiving.