Purdue adds Virginia Tech RB Malachi Thomas from transfer portal
Purdue coach Barry Odom has added a player to his 2025 roster via the transfer portal: Virginia Tech RB Malachi Thomas, who was on a visit to West Lafayette this weekend.
Thomas, a native of Hartwell, Ga., who played at Hart County High, will have one year of eligibility. He is Purdue’s first running back portal commitment and 18th portal commit overall in this cycle.
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The 6-0, 215-pound Thomas ran for 1,132 yards (4.4 ypc) and seven TDs at Virginia Tech on 256 carries from 2021-24. He also caught 28 passes with a TD in 38 games in Blacksburg.
Thomas’ most productive season was his first in 2021, when he ran for 440 yards (4.7 ypc) and three TDs. He had 165 yards rushing on 43 carries (3.8 ypc) with a TD in 2024 and made four receptions.
Thomas will join a Purdue running back room anchored by Devin Mockobee and Jaheim Merriweather.
MORE: GoldandBlack.com content hub: Welcome to the Barry Odom era | Who is coming from the portal? | Analysis: Arkansas QB Malachi Singleton
