Top Duke Football Running Back Star Thomas Makes Hard Decision

After posting over 1,000 all-purpose yards for the 2024 Duke football team, the veteran talent is reentering the transfer portal.

Duke football running back Star Thomas | James Guillory-Imagn Images

Duke football standout running back Star Thomas has one year of eligibility remaining. But the 6-foot, 210-pound graduate from Louisiana has decided not to spend it in Durham.

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Thomas, who transferred to Duke this year following two seasons at New Mexico State and two years at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, revealed on Thursday night that he's entered the transfer portal for the second time in his career. He added that it "was by far the hardest decision" that he's ever had to make, and he did so for "personal reasons."

Was by far the hardest decision I ever made nothing but love for Duke University unbelievable season LOVE 💙 pic.twitter.com/UaBmaBKzk0

— Star Thomas (@Star4Thomas) December 26, 2024

This go-round, he racked up 871 yards and seven touchdowns on 213 carries for first-year Duke football head coach Manny Diaz and the 2024 Blue Devils (9-3, 5-3 ACC), who recorded the program's first nine-win regular season in a decade. And Thomas, a durable 12-game force in the backfield, reeled in 20 receptions for 153 yards and another score.

Between his time at New Mexico State and Duke, Star Thomas eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards, sure to make him an instantly coveted player in the transfer portal.

He's the fifth Blue Devil to enter the portal this cycle.

Meanwhile, Manny Diaz and his crew have reeled in six transfer prizes for next season. That collection includes a three-star running back out of Appalachian State in the 6-foot, 220-pound Anderson Castle.

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