Malachi Thomas hasn’t been on campus long, but he’s already turning heads — inside and outside the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Thomas — a 6-foot-4, 225-pound tight end from Thomas County Central in Thomasville, Ga. — earned recognition from 247Sports as a preseason true freshman All-American. It’s a major honor for a tight end who was graded as a low-level three-star by 247, ranked as the 74th-best in the country.
Thomas announced his commitment on National Signing Day in February, a surprise February arrival, choosing Pitt over Buffalo, Charlotte, Georgia State, FAU, Howard, Kennesaw State, Morgan State, Old Dominion, Stony Brook and Troy.
“Malachi Thomas, I don’t know if you guys have even met yet,” Pat Narduzzi said last week before practice. “Young tight end, has done an outstanding job so far picking up stuff. He’s tough; he’s physical. I think he’s going to be a special football player for us. That’s a guy that stands out to me that’s going to get some time if he continues to progress and that’s a big if. We’ll see that when we go to Acrisure on Sunday.”
Thomas committed to Pitt sight unseen, simply wanting to go to the Power Four level. He didn’t have any other Power Five offers but certainly impressed during his senior season. He helped TCC to an unbeaten season capped with a state title. And he led the Yellow Jackets with 30 receptions for 542 yards (18.1 yards per reception) and eight touchdowns.
There’s an opportunity behind Gavin Bartholomew and Jake Overman, with Jake Renda injured, if Thomas is able to continue to progress this summer.
Thomas has an opportunity to grow behind Bartholomew, who was the last Pitt freshman All-American back in 2021.
“(Having Gavin) makes it easy,” Thomas said last week after practice. “Everything he do, I can just do and improve on and make it better.”
Thomas made a play on the first day of fall camp, showing off against the first team defense, and he hasn’t looked back. He hasn’t even had a “welcome to college” moment yet; he said it still feels like he’s back in high school.
There’s still one week of camp left, and a veteran duo ahead of him on the depth chart, but Thomas is a big, physical tight end who said he offers blocking, football IQ and the ability to catch the ball get up field in a hurry.
Thomas just needs to make sure he doesn’t hit the freshman wall.
Definitely has the size to succeed, I hope he’s well utilized and ready to play!