John Theus Explained

John Theus
Number:71
Position:Offensive tackle
Birth Date:January 19, 1994
Birth Place:Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:6
Weight Lbs:303
High School:Jacksonville (FL) Bolles
College:Georgia
Draftyear:2016
Draftround:5
Draftpick:145
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:4
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:1
Pfr:TheuJo00

John Bailey Theus (born January 19, 1994) is a former American football offensive tackle. He played college football at the University of Georgia.

Early years

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Theus attended Bolles School where he was coached by Corky Rogers. As a sophomore, he was part of a 12–1 Bolles Bulldogs team led by running back Jawan Jamison that defeated Tampa Catholic for the 2009 FHSAA Class 4A state title. In his junior season, Bolles went undefeated through the regular season, only to lose 35–21 to Ocala Trinity Catholic in the Region 1-2B championship.[1] In Theus' senior season, Bolles went 16–1 and beat Miami Washington for the second Class 4A state title in three years.[2] After the season, Theus played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and was also named All-American by Parade and USA Today.

Regarded as a consensus five-star recruit, Theus was ranked as one of the best offensive tackle prospects of the class of 2012, which also included Zach Banner, D. J. Humphries, and Andrus Peat.[3] With scholarship offers from almost every major program in the country, Theus chose Georgia over Notre Dame, Florida, Texas, and Alabama.[4]

College career

In his true freshman season at Georgia, Theus started all 14 games at right tackle.[5] He was only the third true freshman to start at offensive tackle in a season opener for Georgia since freshmen became eligible in 1973, and the first since Trinton Sturdivant in 2007.[6] After a solid season in which Georgia ranked No. 1 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in yards per play, Theus was named Freshman All-American by CBSSports.com,[7] The Sporting News,[8] and Phil Steele. As a sophomore, Theus lost his starting job for stints when Kolton Houston returned to the team after having his eligibility cleared by the NCAA.[9] Theus played in all 13 games of the season, starting eight of them.

For his junior season, Theus was moved over to left tackle where he started in all 13 games. He was part of an offensive line that helped Georgia rush for 257.8 yards per game, which ranked first in the SEC. Theus earned Associated Press Honorable Mention All-SEC after the season. For his senior season Theus started all 13 games, 9 at left tackle, 4 at right tackle. Theus was named All SEC 1st team. Theus finished his career being named all around team captain.

Professional career

Pre-draft

Coming out of college, Theus was projected to be a fourth to sixth round selection. He was ranked the 14th best offensive tackle out of the 109 available by NFLDraftScout.com. He was invited to the NFL Combine and was able to complete all their drills and workouts besides the bench press. He participated at Georgia's Pro Day and was satisfied with his combine number, only performing positional drills and the bench.

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers selected Theus in the fifth round, (145th overall) of the 2016 NFL draft.[10] On May 5, 2016, the 49ers signed him to a four-year, $2.59 million rookie contract with a signing bonus of $257,612.[11]

On September 13, 2017, Theus was waived by the 49ers.[12]

Carolina Panthers

On September 14, 2017, Theus was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers.[13] He was placed on injured reserve on December 2, 2017.[14]

On February 26, 2018, Theus was waived by the Panthers.[15]

New Orleans Saints

On February 27, 2018, Theus was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints.[16] He was waived/injured by the Saints on May 7, 2018 and was placed on injured reserve.[17] He was released on May 16, 2018.[18]

Tennessee Titans

On May 17, 2018, Theus was claimed off waivers by the Tennessee Titans.[19]

On August 1, 2018, Theus announced his retirement from the NFL.[20]

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Bolles' two-year run of state titles ends with road loss to Ocala Trinity Catholic . Florida Times-Union . November 27, 2010 .
  2. News: Jacksonville Bolles' late rally upends Miami Booker T. Washington 33-25 . December 11, 2011 . Orlando Sentinel .
  3. Web site: Archived copy . 2015-03-03 . 2016-03-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305092325/https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/recruiting/rankings/rank-2890 . dead .
  4. News: Bolles' five-star lineman John Theus commits to Georgia . Florida Times-Union . July 15, 2011 .
  5. News: Freshman OL John Theus a 'tough kid' with huge upside for Bulldogs . Online Athens . December 30, 2012 .
  6. News: Freshman Theus may make a push for starting role on UGA's offensive line . Online Athens . August 1, 2012 .
  7. News: CBSSports.com 2012 All-Freshman Team . December 7, 2012 . CBSSports.com .
  8. News: Sporting News' 2012 Freshman All-American team . Sporting News . December 7, 2012 . 2015-09-12 . 2015-01-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150106032236/http://www.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2012-12-07/freshmen-all-americans-team-johnny-manziel-tj-yeldon-amari-cooper . dead .
  9. News: John Theus seeks big finish to UGA football career . Times Free Press . July 23, 2015 .
  10. Web site: San Francisco 49ers Draft Georgia OL John Theus. Fann, Joe. 49ers.com. April 30, 2016. July 3, 2017.
  11. Web site: 49er's draft pick John Theus signs rookie contract. December 15, 2016. ninersnation.com. David Fucillo. May 5, 2016.
  12. Web site: 49ers Sign LB Elijah Lee, Waive OL John Theus. 49ers.com. September 13, 2017.
  13. Web site: Panthers claim OT John Theus. Strickland, Bryan. Panthers.com. September 14, 2017. March 3, 2019. February 15, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230215222600/https://www.panthers.com/news/panthers-claim-ot-john-theus-19375743. dead.
  14. Web site: Carolina Panthers roster news: Zach Moore promoted from practice squad, John Theus placed on injured reserve. CatScratchReader.com. December 2, 2017.
  15. Web site: Carolina Panthers release offensive tackle John Theus. CatScratchReader.com. February 26, 2018.
  16. Web site: Saints claim John Theus, release Gerald Hodges. Alper, Josh. ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. February 27, 2018.
  17. Web site: Saints sign four undrafted rookies, waive four to make room. Williams, Charean. ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com. May 7, 2018.
  18. Web site: John Theus: Waived by New Orleans. CBSSports.com. May 16, 2018.
  19. Web site: Titans Claim Offensive Lineman John Theus off Waivers. Wyatt, Jim. TitansOnline.com. May 17, 2018. May 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518012726/http://www.titansonline.com/news/article-4/Titans-Claim-Offensive-Lineman-John-Theus-off-Waivers/d426021a-ec0b-44d4-8f57-60c55976a678. May 18, 2018. dead.
  20. Web site: Titans place John Theus on reserve/retired list. Alper, Josh. Pro Football Talk. NBC Sports. August 1, 2018.