Julius Thomas: A Reflection
When Julius Thomas entered the league in 2011, he had one full season of football experience under his belt and a lot to learn. Often likened to players such as Antonio Gates and Jimmy Graham who were both former collegiate basketball players turned NFL pro, Julius Thomas was scouted as a great athlete.
PSU and the Denver Broncos
After four seasons with the Portland State University basketball team where he set records for stats such as field goal percentage and career wins, Thomas went on to play a season with the PSU football team. In his 2010 season, he recorded 29 receptions for 453 yards and two touchdowns as a tight end.
Following that year, 14 NFL scouts came to watch him at PSU’s Pro Day including then Jaguar’s tight end coach Rob Boras. In 2011 Julius Thomas was drafted 129th overall in the fourth round by the Denver Broncos. Although concerned with his one year of football experience, Denver saw an athlete that seemed he could fit the mold of a star tight end. Within the off-season, the Broncos put Thomas on the first team offense alongside future Hall of fame quarterback Peyton Manning and star receivers Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas. He seemed to be a breakout star on high powered offense.
However, for the first two seasons, Thomas never really got his chance. He was injured during the second game of his rookie season just as he recorded his first NFL reception. Originally just an ankle injury, multiple setbacks would plague him throughout his rookie year and the following season. He utilized his time trying to understand the game. Watching film and studying the playbook, Julius Thomas attempted to grasp the sport that he had only played for no more than 20 full games.
Orange Julius finds success
During the summer of 2013, Thomas was finally able to put forth much needed preparation and training as he amassed a successful off-season. Through 14 games of the 2013 regular season, he put up 788 yards on 65 receptions and a total of 12 touchdowns. This breakout season followed up with a bid to the 2013 Pro Bowl as he set multiple franchise records including most TDs by a Denver Broncos tight end in a season (12) and most TDs by a Bronco tight end in a regular season game (3). In 2014 he was 300 receiving yards shy of his previous year yet he was still able to amount an equivalent amount of end zone receptions. His success in Denver can be contributed to his drive, athleticism, and the arm of a tight end loving quarterback in that of Peyton Manning.
As the 2014 season came to a close, Julius Thomas chose not to resign with the Broncos and instead went on to test free agency. He signed a five year, $46 million contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Still new to the Jaguars offense (and football in general) Thomas was able to produce 455 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions despite an early season finger injury that kept him from the beginning of the 2015 season.
What Now?
As the 2016 season reaches Week 5, Thomas finds himself in a familiar situation as an elbow injury kept him out of play in the Jaguar’s Week 4 win against the Indianapolis Colts in London. The Jaguars look to utilize their Week 5 bye in order to give Thomas, Dan Skuta, and other starters some needed rest. At 1-3, Jacksonville finds itself in an all too familiar territory. With five out of their next seven games being away, the Jaguars will need to rely on steady offensive production and a healthy Julius Thomas.
The Jaguars offense produced franchise records last season and has the ability to put up high powered offensive numbers. With Blake Bortles under center, running back tandem Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon, and the receiving duo of Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, the Jaguars seem to have all the right pieces yet the offensive line seems to be the weak spot.
Julius Thomas however seems to still be finding his place in the Jacksonville offense. Well, not only Julius Thomas, but it seems everyone else. A young group, the Jaguars are still finding their identity and look to solidify their game. Inconsistency has plagued the Jaguars offense and the Jacksonville team as a whole and although many questions remain concerning Gus Bradley’s status as head coach, the team will need to find a groove that it has yet to discover.
