Malachi Thomas - Facing Every Obstacle

Virginia Tech running back Malachi Thomas burst onto the scene during the 2021 season for the Hokies. In just his freshman year, Thomas appeared in all 12 games and finished the season with 440 rushing yards on 93 carries. As Thomas prepares for the upcoming season and the chance to build on his great first-year campaign, he has been steadied by his faith and credits God for leading him to where he is today.

A Georgia native, Malachi Thomas finished the 2019 season by being named the state’s AAA player of the year. As Malachi was becoming a highly recruited back, he was also developing in his faith, too. After facing obstacles and injuries, he says he learned that God is always in control.

“Faith has always been important to me. I was raised in church and taught to be a strong believer in Christ. Early in my life when faced with a broken ankle, I began to think that it was the end of the world. My parents and I instead always prayed for healing and strength, and that went a long way for me as I healed before I had to begin the upcoming baseball season.”

Malachi says that learning from those experiences has carried over into his collegiate career as he faces whatever roadblocks he faces.

Now entering the 2022 season as a favorite to be the lead rusher for the Hokies, Malachi says he is relying on faith to keep him grounded throughout the duration of the season.

“Faith has played a big role in my career since I was little. I have always believed in the power of prayer and make sure I play under a prayer that I say before each game.”

Malachi says that creating habits like those have allowed him to keep his focus on the things that are most important throughout his journey in football and in life.

As just a sophomore with the Hokies, Thomas has already garnered attention for his electric and eye-opening skills on the field. As fans begin to focus on Thomas and cheer him on, he says he hopes to be remembered for more than just football.

“Throughout my life I have learned that everything happens for a reason and I just want to always show people that every obstacle is just there to build you and make you better.”

Malachi has learned from every roadblock and opposition he has faced, and credits the difficulties for building him into who he is today.

As Thomas and the Hokies look with anticipation towards the upcoming 2022 season, they hope to prove themselves as a force within the ACC. After losing to Maryland in the 2021 Pinstripe Bowl, the Hokis come into the season looking to showcase their talent and abilities on the field. As Thomas looks to help lead Virginia Tech, he does so with humility and grace as he looks to glorify God in everything that he does.