With leading rusher Vince Brown completing his career at Valdosta State in 2005, the VSU football team is in need of a big-time running back.

The Blazers have received a verbal commitment from Skyler Thornton, a 5-foot-11 back who spent the last two seasons at the University of Florida.

Thornton’s high school coach told The Valdosta Daily Times that Thornton will be playing for the Blazers in 2006.

“He’s transferring to VSU,” LaGrange High coach Steve Pardue said.

Thornton, who will be a senior in 2006, left Florida Dec. 19 due to lack of playing time.

“It was kind of by mutual agreement,” UF coach Urban Meyer told the Gainesville Sun at the time. “Guys want to play. I just think that’s it.”

Thornton will get a chance to step in and play for the Blazers with the departure of VSU’s top two rushers, Brown and William Milton.

Brown led the Blazers with 768 yards and six touchdowns for an average of 85.3 yards per game, despite missing three games this season.

Leaving a Southeastern Conference team to play at Division II Valdosta State will allow Thornton to not lose a season in the transfer.

In 2005, Thornton played in 10 games, compiling 96 yards on 20 attempts for the Gators.

The LaGrange product started the 2005 preseason for the Gators running with the No. 1 offense, and ended the season getting the fourth most carries among running backs.

Out of high school in 2003, Thornton was a SuperPrep All-American and the No. 16 running back in the nation.