Malachi Thomas, Purdue Football News: Draft Scout Player News

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06/18/22 - RB Malachi Thomas, rSr/2026, Purdue

Virginia Tech running backs coach Stu Holt had a pressing question for Malachi Thomas back in January. Holt scheduled Zoom sessions as a way to get to know his new players after leaving Louisville to join Brent Pry's staff. When Holt talked with Thomas, he wanted to know how the true freshman leapfrogged nine other running backs - including veterans like Raheem Blackshear and Jalen Holston - to get extended playing time at midseason. "It's a little bit coach speak to say experience doesn't matter," Holt said, in an interview with The Roanoke Times. "If you do have an older guy that has a feel for the game and the skill sets are pretty close, you do like having that experience, right? But if it's a younger guy, he's got to be a mature guy…Through that first conversation it was evident to me, that's how he got on the field." Thomas has maintained that mature approach in recent months to learn Tech's new playbook.

It helped him finish spring camp near the top of the depth chart with Pry referring to Thomas as Tech's most "consistent" running back in camp back in April. Holt agreed, but was also quick to praise Thomas' all-around skill set as well. "He's big, he's got great feet and is a really quick cut guy," Holt said. "He gets vertical very fast. He's got good vision. I think Malachi does a lot of good things. He's got good hands. He's smart. He's got a very good feel for the game, particularly being a young guy. He understands fronts and coverages. He's been impressive that way." Thomas ran for 440 yards (4.7 yards per carry) with three touchdowns last fall and had a pair of 100-yard performances. He was part of a rushing attack that finished No. 41 in the country last year with 185 yards per game. - Roanoke Times

rSr/2026