WATCH: Former Auburn RB Roc Thomas turns on the jets on 76-yard TD run

Roc Thomas got his season off to a scintillating start Saturday in Montgomery, Alabama.

Thomas, a running back for Jacksonville State, took an inside handoff, shook off one tackler and was off to the races, scoring on a 76-yard rush in the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Chattanooga. The score came with 4:05 remaining in the opening period and edged Jacksonville State ahead 10-3 following the point-after.

Thomas is in his first season with the Gamecocks, enrolling last June. An Oxford, Alabama, native, Thomas began his college career at Auburn, signing with the Tigers in 2014. A 5-star prospect, Thomas was the Tigers’ top-ranked signee that year.

But Thomas was never able to find a groove during his two-year stint in Auburn.

He appeared in 24 games, carrying 86 times for 475 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 17 passes for 227 yards and one score. Prior to his departure, it was thought Thomas might move to slot receiver, as he saw time there during the spring of 2015 and caught a touchdown pass out of the spot during Auburn’s annual A-Day game that year.

Former Auburn RB Roc Thomas just scored a 76-yard touchdown for Jax State. pic.twitter.com/0TaH6UsXgD

— Nathan Deal (@NattyD13) August 26, 2017

Ryan Black

Ryan Black covers Georgia football for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow him on Twitter @RyanABlack.