University of Minnesota Athletics

2022 Football Roster

Thomas Rush
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Defense
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Otomewo Esezi Rush Thomas
Photo by: Brace Hemmelgarn
Rush Thomas
Jersey Number 8

Thomas Rush

  • Position:
    DL
  • Ht./Wt.:
    6-3 / 250
  • Hometown:
    Marysville, Ohio
  • High School:
    Marysville
  • Years in College / At Minnesota:
    5 / 5
  • Remaining Eligibility Entering 2025 Season:
    1 year
  • Letters:
    4
  • Class:
    Fifth Year
PRONUNCIATION

HONORS:
NFLPA Bowl (2023) 
All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (2022, media)
Academic All-Big Ten (2022, 2021, 2020, 2019)
Quad Team Member (2019)

2022: Started all 13 games • made 34 tackles (20 solo) • had 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks • broke up two passes and forced one fumble. Game-by-Game: Made three tackles and had one sack against New Mexico State • had two tackles against Western Illinois • had two tackles against Colorado • had four tackles and forced one fumble at Michigan State • registered three tackles and broke up one pass against Purdue • recorded two tackles at Illinois • made four tackles at Penn State • totaled one tackle against Rutgers • had half of a sack and made three tackles at Nebraska • made one tackle against Northwestern • registered five tackles against Iowa • made one tackle at Wisconsin • totaled three tackles and had one tackle for loss against Syracuse.

2021 SENIOR SEASON: Started five of 13 games • recorded 31 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks • broke up one pass. Game-by-Game: Made two tackles against Ohio State • recorded two tackles including 0.5 tackles for a loss against Miami (OH) • registered three tackles, including two for a loss, and two sacks at Colorado • totaled three tackles, including one for a loss, and one sack against Bowling Green • notched three tackles, including 0.5 tackles for a loss, and 0.5 sacks at Purdue • made three tackles, including one tackle for a loss, against Nebraska • registered three tackles, including one sack and one tackle for a loss, against Maryland • totaled two tackles at Northwestern • made three tackles against Illinois • saw action at Iowa • recorded one tackle at Indiana • broke up one pass and notched five tackles against Wisconsin • made two tackles against West Virginia in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

2020 JUNIOR SEASON: Played in seven games • made 13 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks. Game-by-Game: Started against Michigan and made three tackles • made three tackles, including 0.5 sacks, at Maryland • registered two tackles at Illinois • lone tackle against Iowa was a tackle for loss • made three tackles against Purdue, including one tackle for loss • recovered one fumble at Nebraska • made one tackle at Wisconsin. 

2019 SOPHOMORE SEASON: Played in all 13 games and started one • made three tackles. Game-by-Game: Made first career start and recorded two tackles against South Dakota State • saw action against Fresno State and Georgia Southern • broke up one pass and made one tackle against Purdue • competed against Illinois, Nebraska, Rutgers, Maryland, Penn State, Iowa, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Auburn. 

2018 FRESHMAN SEASON: Played in all 13 games and made five tackles. Game-by-Game: Notched three tackles and one sack in collegiate debut against New Mexico State • saw action against Fresno State, Miami, Maryland, Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska, Indiana and Illinois • recorded one tackle against Purdue • competed against Northwestern and Wisconsin • notched one tackle in Quick Lane Bowl victory against Georgia Tech. 

HIGH SCHOOL: Attended Marysville High School in Marysville, Ohio • wore No. 27 for the Monarchs • played linebacker and running back and was named First Team All-Central District in 2017 • as a junior, rushed 261 times for 1,400 yards and 12 touchdowns • named First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Region and Special Mention All-Metro • coached by Morgan Cotter and Brent Johnson • consensus three-star recruit • No. 58 ranked outside linebacker in his class and No. 38 recruit in Ohio by 247Sports • enrolled at Minnesota in January 2018. 

PERSONAL: Son of Lana and the late T.R. Rush.
Coach Fleck Previews Rate Bowl
Wednesday, December 17
Thank You Gopher Fans
Tuesday, December 09
Painting the Axe
Saturday, December 06
Cinematic Recap: Gophers-Wisconsin
Wednesday, December 03