Updateed 10:15 p.m. MT: According to Vic Lombardi, there are now conflicting reports regarding Pete Thomas transferring to Vanderbilt.
Also, Matt Stephens, ex-editor of the Rocky Mountain Collegian, said on twitter he texted Thomas and the quarterback said he's "not sure" if he's transferring to Vanderbilt or not.
The same day new Colorado State head football coach Jim McElwain flew into Fort Collins—fresh off leading Alabama’s offense to a second National Championship in three years—news broke that quarterback Pete Thomas will be leaving the school and heading to Vanderbilt.
Pete Thomas, who was ranked the No. 6 pro-style QB in the nation coming out of high school by The USA Today, came into Colorado State and started in his freshman season.
Thomas started all 12 games in 2010, setting the CSU single-season record for completion percentage (64.7), while breaking Caleb Hanie’s 2004 single-season passing yards for a freshman with 2,662. His yard total also set a freshman MWC record, finishing nine yards ahead of SDSU’s Ryan Lindley in 2008.
In 2010, the Rams struggled to win only three games. Though, in each win, Thomas passed for at least 233 yards, including the 386-yard, three touchdown performance to bring CSU back and beat Idaho 36-34.
It was much of the same in 2011, as Thomas and the Rams mustered a mere three wins. The sophomore from El Cajon, California injured his knee in the ninth game of the season against San Diego State, and true freshman Garrett Grayson stepped in and performed decently in his first three starts.
Grayson’s dual-threat ability of running or passing gave life to the listless CSU offense, and many questioned if Steve Fairchild could break away from Thomas and allow Grayson a chance to grow.
Now Fairchild’s gone, and with him, his biggest recruit as Thomas is moving onto Vanderbilt.
Thomas was looked at as the future of the quarterback position at CSU, although his inconsistent play, lack of an amazing arm and lackluster leadership left many wondering how good he truly could have been in the Rams’ green and gold.
Likely playing into Thomas’ decision is the fact that Colorado State has four other quarterbacks on the roster, meaning gaining back his starting spot was far from guaranteed.
Along with Grayson, the Rams’ quarterbacks include senior M.J. McPeak, redshirt freshman Conner Smith and McElwain’s first QB recruit in C.J. Leonard, the former Fossil Ridge QB who was with a prep school in North Carolina in 2011.
Here’s a look at Pete Thomas’ top games at Colorado State:
Pete Thomas passes for 386 yards in Rams 36-34 win over Idaho
Thomas passes efficiently as Rams rout UNLV 43-10
Want more Rams coverage?
Check out this piece on the proposed CSU on-campus stadium being built in 2014.
Rich Kurtzman is a freelance journalist actively seeking a career in journalism. Along with being your CSU Rams Examiner, Kurtzman is also the Denver Broncos Examiner and writes for Blake Street Bulletin, Stadium Journey, Bleacher Report, and Mile High Hoops.
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