Last season was supposed to be Logan Thomas' audition for the NFL draft.
At 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, pro scouts love the Virginia Tech quarterback's size, his arm strength and his ability to absorb punishment -- and dish it out in the open field.
He had some calling him the second coming of Cam Newton.
It's not that Thomas failed amid the Hokies' 7-6 season, but more of the case of his supporting cast changing around him.
"David Wilson was in the NFL," coach Frank Beamer said. "A couple of receivers we depended on they weren't there."
In 2011 Thomas could rely on Wilson, who averaged 122.1 yards per carry and led the ACC in rushing with 1,709. Last year Wilson was wearing a New York Giants uniform and no back filled that void.
Then there were the receivers, with D.J. Coles lost for the season after suffering a knee injury in the season opener against Georgia Tech. A go-to guy never emerged.
With few weapons Thomas found himself doing it all himself. In fact, he led the Hokies in rushing with 524 yards, the first Virginia Tech quarterback to do that since Bobby Owens in 1965. But going forward Thomas is aware that he can't put carry the offense all on his own.
"I know I have to put that trust to those other guys out there." Thomas said. "They've got scholarships just like I do. It's my job to get them the ball."
While Thomas' passing numbers didn't tail off much from 3,013 yards in 2011 to 2,975 last season, the touchdown to interception ratio took a dip from 1.9 (19 TD's/10 INT) in 2011 to 1.125 (18 TD's/16 INT) last season.
Still the lure of the NFL draft was there.
"I definitely thought about it." Thomas said. "I sent in my paperwork to see where I would be."
While Thomas' physique appears NFL ready, a little more seasoning was needed.
"I could use and extra 12 to 14 starts to get myself ready for the NFL." Thomas said. "I think basically that's what it boiled down to. I'm sitting there thinking ‘Am I NFL ready right now to go start on a Sunday?'
"My decision there was no."
Thomas is still suiting up on Saturdays but Virginia Tech's season opener against Alabama will have a bit of a Sunday feel.
"It's going to be fun because (Alabama's defense is) basically an NFL defense I'm playing against." Thomas said. "They've got people going into the NFL up and down that roster."
And that's an audition he would love to nail.
