BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) – University of Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Gerald Thomas is a true freshman who has proven that he’s got skills. He also has proven toughness.

Thomas has been one of the few bright spots for the Buffs this season. The freshman from Texas has hit the ground running as a fleet-footed receiver. His moves on the field are nothing compared to the move he made when he was 12 years old. Thomas left New Orleans one day before Hurricane Katrina hit. He and his extended family moved to a hotel in Dallas.

“It was me, both of my parents, my grandparents, my great grandpa; I had two little cousins and they were babies at the time; my uncle, his girlfriend,” Thomas said. “It was crazy but we had to make it work the best we could.”

That’s exactly what Thomas did. He became a big thing at his high school, setting receiving records and making the best of a less than perfect situation.

“The situation in the end, I think, was better for me, if not for some other people, because I ended up in Texas, which is like the football capital,” Thomas said. “I got a good education out of it, the schools are better. I met a lot of people I became close with, so in the long run it was good, but at the time it was a struggle.”

While the buffs are struggling, Thomas is persevering, just like he did in high school. He overcame the hurdles in his past and now his future is full of promise.