By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Justin Thomas is one of the game’s savvy veterans. His presence will be key as the Jackets look to get back to their winning ways

As the decision-maker in Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense, quarterback Justin Thomas sees the field with a unique perspective. Reading opposing defenses and checking his progressions on-the-go, Thomas has seen college football’s full ebb-and-flow.

On the nation’s most experienced signal callers, the fifth-year senior has started 26 consecutive games and will soon have played in close to 40 dating back to his first competitive action. Thomas, who won a class AAAAAA state championship at Alabama’s Prattville High School, has compiled over 5,000 career total yards and has scored 48 total touchdowns during his tenure. Wins on his resume include Clemson, Florida State, Miami, Mississippi State and Virginia Tech.

Leading his program to its first Orange Bowl win since 1951 two years ago, Thomas has played, and performed, well on the game’s big stage. Last season, however, saw the Yellow Jackets drop to 3-9 and lose nine of ten contests from mid-September on.

Thomas’ debut year as Georgia Tech’s starting quarterback was a remarkable one. He paced an offensive attack that ranked second nationally with over 342 rushing yards per game; Thomas ran for over 1,000 yards and threw for 18 touchdowns. The Yellow Jackets had the ACC’s top scoring offense, beating the likes of Clemson and Georgia to round out the regular season. Thomas came up clutch in Georgia Tech’s milestone moment in Sanford Stadium.

“I saw that the middle was wide open. What we wanted to do was kind of cover it up, so I just took off and ran. I knew we didn’t have any timeouts left so I just tried to get as far as I could to get out of bounds to at least give us one more shot for the end zone or a field goal,” Thomas recalled of his 21-yard scramble that led to the game-tying kick.

Though the Yellow Jackets came up just short in the ACC Championship Game against defending national champion Florida State, Georgia Tech was only a few plays away from contending for a spot in the inaugural College Football Playoff. The Yellow Jackets, the defeat to the Seminoles included, lost three games by a combined 13 points. A trip to South Beach was a rewarding consolation prize. Thomas, there, earned MVP honors in a 49-34 triumph over Dak Prescott and Mississippi State.

“He made some great throws,” MSU head coach Dan Mullen stated. “What made him dangerous is extending the plays. He made some great open field runs and made people miss.”

Following a quick 2-0 start a year ago, injuries and inexperience started to mount on the Flats. Everything that could go wrong, save a wild win on a blocked field goal return with no time left against Florida State, did. Georgia Tech dropped six games by one possession, losing confidence late in games and ultimately falling out of rhythm. The three wins were the program’s fewest in over two decades.

This past spring, with better team depth and overall health, was about turning the page. Back for his senior season, Thomas is one of college football’s savvy veterans. His presence will be key as the Yellow Jackets look to get back to their winning ways. That process continues as this fall approaches.

“I think, all in all, we’ve had a decent spring,” head coach Paul Johnson nodded. “I think we’ve been able to move some guys around and do some things. We’ve got a ton of work to do this summer and in the off-season.”

Georgia Tech opens 2016 with an interesting conference game, a matchup with Boston College, who led the nation in total defense and allowed the fewest yards per carry and rushing touchdowns a season ago, in Dublin, Ireland. It will be a telling litmus test for an offense rooted in running the football and team ready for a bounce-back. Thomas’ play will help set the tone.

Records and stories abound, Thomas has earned his veteran status. His ability, looking through the line of scrimmage, is what makes Thomas so effective. His vision, far-reaching in the periphery, equally so.