Brock Thomas, a walk-on quarterback for the Oregon Ducks, has been making waves this season with his impressive performances. But before becoming a key player on the football team, Thomas honed his skills on the baseball field.
Thomas’s journey to success began in the summer of his sophomore year when he played alongside Cooper Mullens, the son of University of Oregon Athletic Director Rob Mullens. The two athletes were part of a talented youth team that included future college athletes such as Maddox Molony and Vaun Halstead. This group of friends and teammates spent years competing in tournaments and developing their skills together.
Their coach, Ryan Molony, remembers the team’s dynamic and competitive spirit: “They loved to practice.” The friendships formed during these summer camps were crucial in shaping Thomas’s approach to football, as he says, “It was a lot of fun… I took a look around and calmed myself down and said, ‘Wow, this is cool.'”
Thomas credits his baseball background for teaching him the importance of having fun while playing sports. He has brought this attitude into his football career, saying, “When I got in [against Wisconsin] it was all business… But I took a look around and calmed myself down and said, ‘Wow, this is cool.'”
With Mullens’s endorsement, Thomas’s rise to prominence in the quarterback depth chart is undeniable. The young quarterback has been leading Oregon to victories with his efficient gameplay, impressing teammates like Maddox Molony: “It felt like any ball hit out there was going to get caught.” As Mullens looks on from Michigan, he acknowledges that Thomas’s baseball days were pivotal in shaping the athlete he became.
Thomas now finds himself at a crossroads between football and baseball. While he may not have achieved his dream of playing college baseball, he has discovered success in football and is making the most of it. With Thomas’s impressive performances this season, Oregon fans are eager to see what the future holds for this talented quarterback.
Source: https://lookouteugene-springfield.com/story/ducks/2025/11/27/from-babe-ruth-summers-to-autzen-nights-the-unexpected-rise-of-brock-thomas