The Saskatchewan Roughriders have added another piece to their backfield, signing American running back Star Thomas.
Thomas arrives in Saskatchewan after finishing the 2025 season at Tennessee, where he appeared in 13 games for the Volunteers. The 6-foot, 210-pound back rushed for 596 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.7 yards per carry, the fifth-best mark in the SEC. He also contributed through the air with 11 receptions for 116 yards and two touchdowns.
One of Thomas’ top performances came early in the season when he scored three touchdowns against East Tennessee State. Following the year, he earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, showcasing his talents alongside some of college football’s top graduating players.
Before joining Tennessee, the Louisiana product put together a strong season at Duke in 2024. Thomas carried the ball 213 times for 871 yards and seven touchdowns while adding 20 catches for 153 yards and another score.
His college career also included two seasons at New Mexico State, where he totalled 1,173 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns in 28 games. He added 34 receptions for 351 yards and five receiving touchdowns and earned All-Conference USA Second-Team honours in 2023.
Thomas began his post-secondary career at Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, rushing for 970 yards and 11 touchdowns in 14 games. His biggest outing came in October of 2021 when he exploded for 227 rushing yards, including an 82-yard touchdown run, against Butler Community College.
The move gives the Roughriders another option in their running back room as the team continues to add depth early in the season.
