Former Auburn RB transfers to Jacksonville State

(STATS) - Jacksonville State football coach John Grass and former Auburn running back Roc Thomas have reunited for the 2016 season.

Grass coached Thomas at Oxford High School in Alabama before he left for Jacksonville State, first as offensive coordinator and now in his third season as head coach.

Thomas, a 5-foot-10, 203-pound junior, joined the Gamecocks on Monday when he signed his financial aid agreement.

In addition, three other FBS transfers - South Carolina cornerback Al Harris Jr. (South Carolina), wide receiver Kevin Spears (LSU) and offensive lineman Darius Anderson (East Carolina) - have enrolled and begun summer workouts with the two-time defending Ohio Valley Conference champion, which was the FCS runner-up to North Dakota State last season.

"Roc is a great addition for our team," Grass said. "We lost some key players at running back and it's really good to get him in and help shore up the depth at that position. He is a great player that is returning home. He was a five-star running back that is an explosive player. He is familiar with our system after playing for me in high school, and I expect him to flourish in it here at JSU."

Thomas was the 2013 Gatorade Alabama Player of the Year as a senior, when he rushed for 2,211 yards and 32 touchdowns, averaging 9.8 yards per carry. In two years at Auburn, he rushed for 475 yards and three touchdowns and caught 17 passes for 227 yards.

Thomas and senior Josh Clemons are expected to be Jacksonville State's featured running backs this season.