Clayton grew up in the Washington DC metropolitan area where he attended Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where he was a SuperPrep All-American running back.
He was named to the USA Today All-USA team and was rated the eighth best running back nationally by Rivals.com and participated in U.S. Army All-American Bowl As a senior, he rushed for more than 2,000 yards.
Clayton began his college football career at Florida State University as a true freshman in 2002, rushing for 45 yards on 13 attempts.
He needed 221 yards to equal the best three-game start in school history and 70 yards for the second-best start, and against a feeble University of North Texas opponent coming week 4, Clayton would have had no problem accomplishing that had he not been suspended due to an arrest during the team's week 3 bye.
"Thomas Clayton, the nation's leading rusher, was arrested Friday and charged with aggravated battery, stemming from a Sept. 16 altercation involving a university parking services employee."
In 2006, Clayton entered the season ranked amongst the nation's top 10 returning senior running backs.
However, with the retirement of head coach Bill Snyder, and the hiring of Ron Prince, Clayton was not able to match his 2005 success.
[2] In August 2009, Clayton suffered an ACL injury, and was placed on injured reserve, where he spent the entire season.
He played in one game for the Patriots, the Week 17 season finale against the Miami Dolphins, running six times for 17 yards.