I was recently interviewed by the Salt Lake Tribune's Matthew Piper about how a Men's Track team would benefit not just the university itself, but also how it could benefit Utah football (read the full article here). We talked about a lot of things, but he said something during the interview that I think would make any college football coach's head turn:
"It seems like because Utah doesn't have a men's track team that they are missing out on the De'Anthony Thomas' of the world."Ok, pause for a second and let that sink in Utah fans.
De'Anthony Thomas was one of the most explosive players in college football history when he was at the University of Oregon. He had blinding speed and unbelievable quickness and if you ask any defensive coordinator in the PAC-12, they'll most likely tell you that they had to scheme their defenses just to account for him.
He now plays for the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL. I'll even admit that he was on my fantasy football roster this past season. He saved a few games for me with his untouchable returning ability.
Thomas was also an All-American sprinter for the Oregon Ducks Track team. He had a personal best of 10.31 in the 100 meters and 20.61 in the 200 meters. He was also the anchor leg of Oregon's 4x100 meter relay team.
Of all the places that De'Anthony Thomas could have played football, he chose to play at the University of Oregon. Why? Because he could also run track there. Interestingly enough, and this might make Utah fans scratch their heads a little, Utah return specialist Kaelin Clay beat De'Anthony Thomas in the anchor leg of their high school 4x100 meter relay teams.
So, Coach Whittingham, what does this have to do with you? Well if you haven't seen Track & Field as an underutilized tool before this, then you certainly need to now. Clay by his own admission was a track guy and the Utes were lucky enough to snag him despite not having a men's track team. However, the unavoidable question now remains; how many De'Anthony Thomas' have passed on Utah because they couldn't run track?
There are countless examples of top tier athletes that chose their respective universities because they could do both sports. Throwback examples include legendary NFL players like Deion Sanders, Herschel Walker, and Jim Brown. How about these more modern examples:
- Robert Griffin III: Heisman Trophy winner and Big 12 400 Meter Hurdle Champion at Baylor
- Marquise Goodwin: 3rd round draft pick, Olympic long jumper and former Texas Longhorn
- Denard Robinson: Jacksonville wide receiver and 100 meter sprinter at Michigan
- Santana Moss: Redskin wide receiver and 2000 Big East Triple Jump Champion at Miami
- Andre Johnson: Pro Bowl receiver for Houston and 2002 Big East 60 m Champion at Miami
- Maurice Jones-Drew: Pro-Bowl running back and 100 meter sprinter at UCLA
- Joe Thomas - Cleveland Offensive Lineman and threw shot-put and discus at Wisconsin.
That's just the tip of the iceberg!
Where's the best place for your athletes to stay in shape during the offseason that fosters a competitive environment and won't pose a serious injury risk? On the track. Where can football players go to learn how to utilize fast-twitch muscles? On the track. How can you get better 40 times for your players who are preparing for the NFL combine? By having them run track where they can learn to master quick starts. Where can offensive and defensive linemen work on explosiveness in a confined space? In the discus and shot-put circles. Need more reasons why football players should run track, here's three more.
If anyone should be petitioning for the re-instatement of Men's Track & Field at the University of Utah, it should be Kyle Whittingham. It's good for the university, good for the community, and most importantly for him, it's good for his football team.
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