GRAY DEYOSports Writer

Former player of the Tullahoma High School football team, Jakobe Thomas, has just transferred for the second time in his collegiate career. Thomas played for the Tennessee Vols last year and is now making the move to transfer to the University of Miami.

This came as a shock to many Vols fans. Thomas got limited snaps last season, but was slated to play a major role this year. Will Brooks, who played the most snaps at the safety position for Tennessee, just graduated. And two other Vols that could be in line for some snaps with Thomas were also on the move. This being defensive backs Christian Charles and John Slaughter, who both transferred–Slaughter going to Virginia and Charles going to Colorado.  The former Wildcat’s option for suiting up as a starter for his home-state college was written in the stars. Despite that, he walked.

Thomas, when he officially hit the portal, was one of the most sought-after players in it. He was ranked as the second-best uncommitted defensive player in the portal and the fourth-best overall player. Big school after big school was recruiting Thomas, including Miami.

The Hurricanes program this year made huge signing after huge signing. Carson Beck, who had been the starting quarterback for Georgia for the past two seasons, packed up his bags to move after the offer Miami gave him. An offer nearing the four-million-dollar mark. Recently, Miami also signed one of the top recruits in the class of 2026, Jackson Cantwell. On3 estimates his NIL value to be a little over 1.5 million dollars.

It seems the current fifth-ranked college football program in NIL may have thrown Thomas an offer he could not turn down. Even if he’d rather suit up for the Vols.

This feels like a situation similar to what took place for point guard on the Chattanooga men’s basketball team, Honor Huff. Huff played for Chattanooga for the last three seasons. After the conclusion of the 2024-205 season in which the Mocs won the NIT Championship, he decided to hit the portal.

He explained in a sit-down interview with the Chattanooga Times Free Press that being completely transparent, he had to capitalize on what you can make as a player. He then stated that he did not want to leave Chattanooga. He made sure to let all the coaches who were recruiting him know that he was looking for somewhere that had a similar environment to what he had with the Mocs’ program.

The Hurricanes in obtaining Thomas are getting a high-level player, as well as a high-character player. Two things that have been true since he wore red and black at Tullahoma High School.

It will be an exciting season to watch Thomas have an opportunity to make some noise on one of the biggest programs in college football.