Georgia tailback Carlton Thomas decides to transfer
ATHENS – Georgia’s tailback competition thinned out before it ever got started.
Carlton Thomas, a rising senior from Frostproof, Fla., has decided to transfer. He would have been one of seven tailbacks on scholarship for the Bulldogs this coming fall.
“This decision was based solely on the fact that this is my last year to play and my parents and I felt it was the right move to make,” said Thomas, who was suspended for three games for team rules violations last season. “I want to make more of an impact on the field. I didn’t want to disrupt Georgia’s team and preparation for next season, so I made the final decision to leave earlier rather than later in the year.”
Thomas played in 27 games with two starts. He leaves Georgia with 725 yards on 159 carries and four touchdowns.
No word yet on where Thomas might transfer.
Georgia head coach Mark Richt said Thomas informed running backs coach Bryan McClendon of his intentions Monday night, then met with Richt in his office at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall on Tuesday morning. The Bulldogs opened spring practice Tuesday afternoon.
“Carlton has decided to move on,” Richt said. “He came to me and said he has had discussions with his family and had been thinking it through and praying it through and he summed it up pretty nicely what his intentions are. He wants to move on and try to find a place where he’ll get more playing time. We wish him well.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
111 comments Add your comment
ChrisATL
March 20th, 2012
6:14 pm
GTBob, why the constant commenting on Georgia football articles? Not enough going on at Tech to keep you occupied?
ChrisATL
March 20th, 2012
6:21 pm
BamaGuy, comparing Richt to Saban is a joke and any Bama fan not utterly blinded by bias would agree. Most Tide fans I know would say the same thing. Everyone respects Saban’s abilities as a coach and recruiter, but no self respecting college football fan would ever say that Saban’s ethics are in any way comparable to MR’s. We have enough trolls already. Keep movin’.
RedDawg
March 20th, 2012
6:28 pm
Best of luck to Carlton you will always be a Dawg. I meet his mother at the spring game she was nice lady Go Dawgs!
Hugh Jass
March 20th, 2012
6:28 pm
He was supposed to be a slot receiver, scat back type of player and just never was. He will get more playing time but him parlaying his senior year into a pro career seems very slim. Best of luck to the young feller.
PrimeTimeJr
March 20th, 2012
6:36 pm
Carlton led all the backs in yards per carry, close to 5 yards per carry, better than Crowell, Malcome, or Samuel.
Bummer for him that Richt doesn’t go by performance, more by who he likes best.
Ealey left for the same reasons, as the leading performer last season.
Sad, Thomas was the #1 producer but Crowell got 2x more carries.
UGAmutt
March 20th, 2012
6:37 pm
Uhhmmm…yeah. Wasn’t this the guy last year who was talking about taking a leadership role, not being selfish about his carries, being a role player and just putting in the hard work? Thanks for all of those huge plays in the SECCG last year Carlton. I don’t know what Bobo is going to do without Thomas to send up the middle on third and long for his infamous draw plays?!? This kid was cut from the same mold as Ealey and King. He was a cancer on IC and Boo last year, and he was competing with his TDs last year were his suspensions. Good luck at Jacksonville State. Tell Washaun I said, “Hi.”
The Factor
March 20th, 2012
6:38 pm
Wish him luck but he needs to grow up (like we all did). Scholarships are like gold (which most didn’t have) and he was in the dog house too much when he was needed.
UGAmutt
March 20th, 2012
6:41 pm
The only “gold” thing that kid ever cared about was his Maui Gold. Smoke up, Johnny! I don’t think the NFL is very “high” on 170lb rbs.
PrimeTimeJr
March 20th, 2012
6:41 pm
Ealey busted 1100 yards this year, Thomas will likely do the same once they are featured as the premiere backs they earned.
Good luck Thomas, you deserved to be featured as the premiere back, you earned it.
Go out and bust 1100 yards like Ealey did.
UGAmutt
March 20th, 2012
6:44 pm
Bust out 1100 yards against FCS competition when you never broke 400 against SEC FBS level competition. Ealey was a loser too. Think he’s getting drafted?
Stanger
March 20th, 2012
6:47 pm
He is not in contact with Valdosta State as of yet. His high school coach is talking with a number of schools that do want him. He left because he was not going to get on the field and looking at it as a business. He graduates in May from UGA. He is a scat back and needs be used where he performs best and Bobo is’nt doing that. So the only chance he has in making it to the next level is going else where. He’s not being “ran off”. He wants to return kicks (which is what he was recruited for to begin with) and there not going to use him there. I look for him to go play in FL somewhere or possibly Ga State or even with his buddy Marcus Dowtin.
Football Guy
March 20th, 2012
6:52 pm
Hahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahahahahaha
…………………………………..
………………………………………..
……………………………………………….
………………………………………..
…………………………………..
PrimeTimeJr
March 20th, 2012
6:54 pm
Thomas will likely head to LSU with fellow discontent and top performer Mettenberger.
PrimeTimeJr
March 20th, 2012
6:57 pm
I bet Thomas was surprised after the Auburn game, where he busted 120+ yards on 15 carries at 8 yards a carry to Crowell’s 5.5 ypc against Auburn, to learn he wouldn’t be carrying it much more the rest of the year. Bet Thomas wasn’t happy the way the season ended after he proved he was better than Crowell in the Auburn game.
Crimson Tusk
March 20th, 2012
7:04 pm
Well, I guess CMR will have a few extra scholarship’s available to some JUCO guys now…
LOL @ all the high and mighty dawgs who don’t cut players to make room for fresh fish…
Eagle23
March 20th, 2012
7:06 pm
I know Ga Southern is where everybody immediately thinks when a player from UGA or GT transfers, but Thomas wouldn’t be playing very much at Ga Southern this year. Our top 5 RB’s from last year are back this year and that doesn’t include the QB who will eat up a lot of carries. I agree that what Carlton brings to the table is perfect for the A-back position, but he’s not better than anything we already have. The coaching staff at Southern already struggles with getting the current players enough touches. So bringing in a player who is transfering because he doesn’t get a lot of touches just doesn’t make sense for either school.
PrimeTimeJr
March 20th, 2012
7:12 pm
Auburn is another possibility, they love productive players, regardless of size.
I’d say UGA’s top yards per carry rusher ends up at either LSU or Auburn, both love productivity and merit based programs.
Randall "Pink" Floyd
March 20th, 2012
7:17 pm
Smart move, kid. Good luck.
PrimeTimeJr
March 20th, 2012
7:30 pm
Kind of sad the way all the top producers leave Mark Richt.
Mettenberger, Ealey, now Thomas.
What’s going on?
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
March 20th, 2012
7:48 pm
@ Chip:
Where is my 7:45 pm post?????????????????????????????????????????
What happened to it???????????????
Brainiac(Dawg for life/Richt fan for life)
March 20th, 2012
7:53 pm
@ Crimson Tusk:
We already have tons of headroom at UGA. We only signed 19 or did that slip by your feeble mind???
Thomas made that decision on his own plus his parents.
Crimson Tusk = Just another lost soul among the Bamatards.
duronimo
March 20th, 2012
8:09 pm
He wasn’t going to play. He knew it. It’s the right move for him. He was never a SEC back and I’m
not sure if anyone else but Georgia thought he was. Samuel has had his chances. He’s had one
good (and very timely) game. The two new guys from North Carolia are the key. Without them
Crowell would lilkey regress. But with them, he might get religion.
LogicalUS
March 20th, 2012
8:21 pm
“Crowell, Marshall, Gurley, and Samuel, Malcome ”
Yeah, the entire football world is quaking in their boots with two high schools kids, a prima donna who taps out after the 1st qtr and a rejected 4th team LB and a 3rd year nobody.
Losing Thomas isn’t anything as he did bring anything to the table…of course last summer he was a Warwick Dunn to-be.
Bammer
March 20th, 2012
8:25 pm
Player leaves UGA: Did it of his own free will. Wouldn’t have gotten much playing time so it’s in the best interest of everyone concerned.
Player leaves Bama: THAT EVIL SATAN HAS KICKED ANOTHER ONE TO THE CURB! WHY DON’T THE NCAA STOP THEM CHEATIN BOYS OVER THERE?!?! ETHICS! MORALS! OVERSIGNING! ARRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
kybodawg
March 20th, 2012
8:32 pm
maybe he can go to bama they only have 13 rbs.
Tarryuga
March 20th, 2012
8:35 pm
CT, go to Mercer, OK, time out, not sure when they start up.
Dawg Haus
March 20th, 2012
8:37 pm
Wish he’d stick it out at UGA, but we have to respect his decision. Best of luck, Carlton, wherever you end up!
RxDawg
March 20th, 2012
8:41 pm
Good luck to you Carlton. This makes more sense to me too. Simply put, our horses in the stable just weren’t good enough the past few years. We’ve made some upgrades there because we had to in order to win championships. Thanks for everything you did for us, you’ll always be a Dawg.
Nub
March 20th, 2012
8:48 pm
Best for Carlton…. To bad Bobo can’t figure out how to maximize his talent … 2nd and 8 … Carlton runs between tackles for no gain…
7576DAWG
March 20th, 2012
8:56 pm
P_The_Ricker
I did think that Jacksonville State was in Jacksonville Florida so thanks for clearing that up. I do think he will transfer closer to his home to whatever school but that wasn’t the point smart a@@ . GROW UP OR GO TO THE DISNEY BLOGS WHERE YOU BELONG.
Jonas Grumby
March 20th, 2012
9:13 pm
Nearly 100 posts already about a guy who might have been no better than fifth on the depth chart. Gotta love college football in the South.
dnn
March 20th, 2012
9:13 pm
Enter your comments here
dnn
March 20th, 2012
9:15 pm
GA STATE PANTHERS….You will be a starter there
hbcuclassics
March 20th, 2012
9:15 pm
HBCU Classic Sports
2012 Draft Board (1-64)
http://hbcuclassics.com/hbcu_draft_board
BG
March 20th, 2012
9:26 pm
Good luck CT. I will never forget watching Carlton run all over Auburn.
Isaiah Crowell proud to be No. 1, wants to make ‘run for Heisman’ | UGA sports blog
March 20th, 2012
9:39 pm
[...] That number dropped to six Tuesday. Rising senior Carlton Thomas informed Richt Tuesday morning of his intention to transfer. [...]
Copper
March 20th, 2012
9:41 pm
Go ahead and blame Saban. How about another blackout?
OkieDawg
March 20th, 2012
10:10 pm
@Tampa Gator: Tell us again about all your Gainesville intell into Gayturd Football. 3 months ago you posted that Judas Muschamp had locked up-
Stephon Diggs
Jordan Jenkins
Avery Young
Josh Harvey-Clemons
Mike Davis
Nelson Agholor
How many of those locks did you get? I told you at the time where these kids would go and it wasn’t Florida! And look at the kids that have left Florida in the last 3 years. It is like the whose/whose in former “Great” recruits!
Lakedawg
March 20th, 2012
10:43 pm
Good luck to Carlton wherever he goes and hopefully has an injury and trouble free year.
Playing time was not here and he is a player, know of at least two concussions he had giving his all for the Dawgs.
BobDawg
March 20th, 2012
10:59 pm
TAMPAGATOR…. good to hear from ya… judging from the “10 at 10″ the other day, Dawg teams are winning up and down the list. Baseball is ranked high again.. my tennis dawgs (alum ‘79) are kicking butt as usual along with the finest facility in the country plus the tennis hall of fame there now…. Ya’ll are doing well also….. Our Swim dawgs just missed winning NCAA’s even with our top swimmer out training for the Olympics…. will miss Furman Bisher – Selah……
George P. Burdell
March 21st, 2012
12:54 am
This is just another example of UGA and Richt trying to look like they actually care about the student-athlete when all you really care about is the athlete. You can dress it up all you want to, but UGA went out, got some running backs, and Thomas doesn’t fit in. That is fine, but don’t make it more than it is.
Crimson Tusk
March 21st, 2012
5:52 am
It is what it is, nothing more and nothing less. CMR cut this player to better the team and you can put all the lipstick on this pig you wish but seniors graduating in a month don’t transfer.
Now does this make a bunch of posturing look hypocritical on behalf of the majority of UGA fans?
Hell yeah it does!
Will you give a damn when you start winning the big games again?
Hell no.
TennesseeDawg
March 21st, 2012
6:09 am
Carlton is headed to LA to play with the Fresh Prince.
Hahaha
March 21st, 2012
7:27 am
Oh no Tiny Thomas is leaving! Who will Bozo run up the middle on 3rd and 20 now?
Hahaha
March 21st, 2012
7:33 am
Heard he is looking at a college in Jamaica so he can smoke his weed during breaks on the sideline. Crowell and Smith are looking there also! Smith just needs to grow his dreadlocks out!
PapaDawg
March 21st, 2012
7:44 am
The kid should think about DB at Georgia. That’s where they need help and the jump to the Pros would be easier from being a DB in the SEC than a running back from a lower division school.
Chris
March 21st, 2012
8:28 am
Thank God!!!!
Now we don’t have to worry about Bobo running the smallest player on the field straight up the gut on 3rd and 2. Suspended for several games, didn’t give a crap about being a good DAWG, so good riddance!
NewYork1
March 21st, 2012
8:39 am
Verne Lundquist you have no class.
BankerDawg
March 21st, 2012
9:17 am
I don’t get why anyone cares? Richt and Bobo have “missed” on every TB recruit we have gotten in the last 5 years – Ealey, King, etc. Crowell, not to disregard his antics, is a legit back. I’m hoping that Marshall and Gurley will be productive too. Combined, all we need is them to produce is 100 plus yrds a game. I think they will if the Oline has finally come together. Really, thats what our running game boils down to. Thomas, Harton, Samuel, etc are all pretenders.
G-Dawg
March 21st, 2012
9:21 am
Was always hoping to see great things from Carlton, but its an understandable move on his part. Very underutilized by the Dawgs offensive gameplans. Our playbook is too one dimensional in order to get the ball into space for players with Carlton’s skill set. Remember he was ranked higher coming outta HS than Igram. Would love to see him go to Valdosta State and play. But for all these Bama terds on here, comparing apples and oranges while referring to this as roster mgmt is just pure sensationalism at its best. Its a known fact across the nation that Bama abuses this tactic. Regardless, good luck Carlton…Bulldawg nation will still continue to follow your development.