Power Running Back Thomas Commits To Maryland

Just two weeks after the huge commitment of local star quarterback Will Ulmer, Maryland continues to shore up their offensive future, adding 2014 running back Johnathan Thomas to the class, according to Thomas's Twitter account.

Thomas is a 5'11", 205 pound running back from Danvers, Massachusetts, playing at St. John's Prep (previously the home of Jonathan Goff, but not a powerhouse, recruiting-wise). ESPN ranks him as a four-star prospect and the #1 player in the state (as well as the 35th best prospect overall). The other three services give him three stars - Rivals lists him as the 38th-best running back in the nation, while 24/7 ranks him as the fourth-best player in the state and 45th-best running back in the nation.

Thomas lists offers from Arkansas, Boston College, Connecticut, Virginia, Pittsburgh and Yale, among others. He was recruited to Maryland by former UMass Defensive Coordinator Keith Dudzinski, and it's pretty big coup for Maryland - ESPN lists just two four-star prospects in the New England area. One is headed to Boston College, while the one who actually plays in Massachusetts is coming to Maryland.

As you can tell from that big frame, Thomas is undoubtedly a power running back. There's not much in terms of highlight footage, but here's an interview he did with ESPNBoston that includes some game footage.

For Maryland, he's the first non-local commitment in the 2014 class, following offensive lineman Jared Cohen, from Owings Mills, and quarterback Ullmer, from D.C. It is also worth noting that all three of Maryland's commitments have come on the offensive side of the ball.

At running back, Maryland has a three-star prospect coming in this year in DeAndre Lane, and with a trio of sophomores sharing the starting spot at the moment, it appears they're set for a few years. Thomas is a good runner, and should help give them both depth and safety in the event of a transfer. That is, until it's his time to start.