Power ranking: The 13 biggest running back busts of all-time
By Robert Judin
2. Blair Thomas
Surely not every running back from Penn State is slanted to be a bust in the NFL, right? Well, that might actually be the case.
The New York Jets thought they were getting the best player in the 1990 draft class when they selected Blair Thomas with the second-overall pick.
The former Nittany Lion rushed for 3,301 yards and 21 touchdowns while at Penn State and had the Jets enamored with is potential.
Thomas ran for 2,009 yards and five touchdowns in four years with the Jets. He actually showed some promise for the team, but as well know injuries are a huge part of the game. And Thomas suffered from a few nagging injuries that plagued his time in New York.
The Jets parted ways with Thomas after the 1993 season, and the back sought to rebound with the divisional rival New England Patriots. Yeah, that lasted for four games, and then the Dallas Cowboys picked him up for two games. Between the Patriots and Cowboys, Thomas totaled 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries.
Thomas’ career would come to an end after the 1995 season, which he spent with the Carolina Panthers. His time in Charlotte lasted for only seven games.
Thomas is pretty much the poster child for failed Nittany Lion running backs.
D.J. Dozier and Curtis Enis join him on that wall of shame, but neither was taken with the No. 2 pick in the draft. That honor belongs solely to Thomas.
And if you ask a Jets fan about him, you may want to make sure there aren’t any children around to hear the word choice.
Next: Ki-Jana Carter