Virginia Tech Football: Logan Thomas Signed to Detroit Lions’ Practice Squad as a Tight End

Logan Thomas is in the news again today as the former Hokie quarterback was signed to the Detroit Lions’ practice squad—as a tight end.

In recent weeks, current Hokie signal-caller, Jerod Evans, has broken some of Thomas’ records. Now, Thomas gets what is probably his last chance at an NFL career by changing positions. Remember, the Hokies recruited Thomas to Blacksburg as a tight end back in 2009 and he was a 4-star prospect out of Brookville High School in Lynchburg.

Can Thomas make the move work?

Well, athletically Thomas is an intriguing prospect. He’s big and athletic. If Thomas had come into the NFL back in 2014 as a tight end, this experiment may have worked. He could’ve caught on with a smart offensive mind and sat on the bench while he acclimated to his new position.

Thomas has resisted switching positions for years, so it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the change. Drafted in the fourth by the Arizona Cardinals back in 2014, he lasted just one year in the desert. Arizona’s head coach, former VT quarterback Bruce Arians, released him after only one season. Thomas then spent a year with Dolphins, bouncing between third-string quarterback and the practice before being released again.

Lastly, Thomas signed on with the New York Giants back in June, before being released and re-signed over a dozen times before finally being cut for good on November 22.

It’s easy to wonder what would’ve happened if Thomas never moved to quarterback his freshman season. He had a solid college career, but never possessed the accuracy or feel for the passing game at the professional level to make it work at quarterback.

Thomas is a great athlete, but doesn’t possess the same type of athleticism as current Hokie Bucky Hodges. Hodges received numerous Thomas comparisons upon signing with the Hokies out of high school and decided to move to tight end from quarterback during his freshman campaign. It was a brilliant decision as Hodges looks like a first-or second-round prospect at the next level.

Hodges is quicker and faster than Thomas, while Thomas is harder to bring down. Thomas is a more physical runner.

A look back at Thomas’ measurables and it’s easy to see why teams are enamored with his potential at tight end.

Best of luck, Logan.