Marcus Bernard Thomas (born May 28, 1984) is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas-El Paso. Early years Thomas attended Tolleson Union High School in Tolleson, Arizona. As a sophomore, he was the backup of future NFL player Mike Bell. As a junior, he was a two-way player at running back and free safety. He registered 2,087 rushing yards, 27 touchdowns and 25 receptions for 580 yards, while leading Tolleson to the 4A state playoffs. He received All-Region and All-state honors. As a senior, he was named Arizona State High School Player of the Year and a Parade All-American, after setting Arizona high school records for rushing yards in a single-season with 3,573 yards and 47 touchdowns. He also made 10 receptions for 350 yards and 3 receiving touchdowns. Thomas set the state record for career 400-yard rushing games, single-season 400-yard rushing games and the single-game rushing record with 424 yards against Moon Valley High School. He left as the state of Arizona's all-time leading high school rusher with 5,878 yards and only the third back in state history with back-to-back 2,000-yard rushing seasons. He also lettered in basketball and track. He competed in the 100 metres, 200 metres, 4 × 100 metres relay, high jump and long jump. As a sophomore he was part of the team that won the state title. As a junior, the team finished second, with him taking first place in the 4 × 100 metres relay, second in the long jump, third in the 200 metres and fourth in the high jump at the state meet. College career Thomas accepted a football scholarship from the University of Texas at El Paso. As a freshman, he appeared in 10 games, collecting 37 carries for 145 yards (3.9-yard avg.) and 3 receptions for seven yards. As a sophomore, he began the season as a redshirt. He played in 11 games, becoming a starter in the last 6 contests. He posted 149 carries for 791 yards (5.3-yard avg.), 5 rushing touchdowns, 32 receptions for 440 yards (13.8-yard avg.), 5 receiving touchdowns, 4 kickoff returns for 65 yards (16.2-yard avg.) and 1,296 (117.8 ypg) all-purpose yards. He rushed for 100 yards in the final