Ky Thomas is a Featured Back for Minnesota. Ky's 2021 season ranks in the 0th percentile nationally by opponent-adjusted EPA per play across 164 plays — a developing rate for the RB.
The centerpiece of the run game — high carry volume, used in early downs and goal-line, true workhorse role.
Meaningful starter. Local collective + position-group deals.
Tier is a model estimate based on position, school brand, performance rank, and usage — not a reported deal. NIL deals are private. For a real market valuation, see On3's NIL profile, which factors in social following and actual deal tracking.
Players from 2014–2024 matched on EPA efficiency, play volume, and adjusted value tier — not just one metric.
| Player | Team | Yr | Plays | WEPA/play | Line val | Total EPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley | Penn State | 2016 | 288 | 0.340 | 3.9 | 97.9 |
| Dalvin Cook | Florida State | 2016 | 292 | 0.340 | 4.3 | 99.3 |
Comps are statistical — efficiency, volume, and value tier all factor in. Style and conference context differ.
| Wk | Opponent | Result | Opp SP+ | Car | Rush Yds | Avg | Rush TD | Rec | Rec Yds | Rec TD | EPA/play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | @Colorado | W30-0 | -10.0 | 7 | 66 | 9.4 | 1 | — | — | — | 0.64 |
| 7 | vsNebraska | W30-23 | 10.3 | 7 | 23 | 3.3 | 0 | — | — | — | -0.24 |
| 8 | vsMaryland | W34-16 | 6.2 | 21 |
Usage = share of team plays (CFBD has no true snap counts).
Car 21 · Rush Yds 144 · Avg 6.9 · Rush TD 1
| 139 |
| 6.6 |
| 1 |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| 0.43 |
| 9 | @Northwestern | W41-14 | -11.1 | 21 | 106 | 5.0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0.26 |
| 10 | vsIllinois | L6-14 | 4.3 | 16 | 60 | 3.8 | 0 | 3 | 19 | 0 | -0.06 |
| 11 | @Iowa | L22-27 | 11.4 | 29 | 126 | 4.3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.14 |
| 12 | @Indiana | W35-14 | -7.8 | 26 | 105 | 4.0 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 0.31 |
| 13 | vsWisconsin | W23-13 | 20.1 | 18 | 55 | 3.1 | 1 | — | — | — | -0.09 |
| 1 | vsWest Virginia | W18-6 | 1.8 | 21 | 144 | 6.9 | 1 | — | — | — | 0.04 |
