Texas High School Football Hall of Fame Inductees: Rodney Thomas

Rodney Thomas

Groveton High School

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Inducted in 2002

Thomas rushed for 8,441 yards, scored 115 touchdowns and led Groveton to 32 consecutive wins and back-to-back 2A state championships in 1989 and 1990. His career rushing total ranked behind only Sugar Land Hall of Famer Ken Hall's 11,232 in Texas history at the time, and third nationally to Florida's Emmitt Smith (8,804). A three-time all-state selection, Thomas was the 2A Offensive Player of the Year as a senior and was named first-team all-America by SUPER PREP magazine. In 1990, he led the nation in rushing with 3,701 yards. At Texas A&M, he rushed for 3,014 career yards from 1991-94, which ranked him fourth on the Aggies' all-time list. His 41 career TDs were second only to Darren Lewis' 46 in A&M history. Thomas was consensus All-SWC in 1993 and '94, and during his time at College Station the Aggies never lost at Kyle Field and were unbeaten in SWC play (28-0-1). Selected by Houston in the third round of the 1995 draft, he spent seven seasons in the NFL with the Oilers, Titans and Falcons, rushing for 1,973 yards and 12 TDs before retiring in 2002.