Portland Arena Football League team signs former Oregon QB Darron Thomas

Jan 2, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Darron Thomas (5) carries the ball in the 2012 Rose Bowl game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports /

Oregon Duck fans should be excited to hear that Darron Thomas, the quarterback who led the Ducks to the 2011 BCS National Championship Game and the 2012 Rose Bowl, has supposedly signed with Portland’s Arena Football League team. The signing isn’t confirmed yet, but sources told The Oregonian that it took place, and head coach Matthew Sauk tweeted out a welcoming message about Darron earlier today.

Thrust into the starting role in 2010 after Jeremiah Masoli was booted from the team, Thomas led the Ducks to a 12-0 regular season record. He threw for 2,881 yards and 30 touchdowns in his first season as a starter and went toe-to-toe with Cam Newton in the title game, throwing for 363 yards and two touchdowns in Oregon’s heartbreaking 22-19 loss.

2011 proved to be more of the same for Thomas. He threw for for 2,761 yards and 33 touchdowns, leading the Ducks to a win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl. He then left school to test the waters of the NFL draft, but his pro dreams never got off the ground.

While the Arena Football certainly isn’t the NFL, Oregonians should be happy to have Thomas back home.

[Source: Oregon Live]

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