Former Tullahoma Wildcat football player and 98th pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, Jakobe Thomas, is about to enter NFL mandatory minicamp.

Thomas, now a player for the Minnesota Vikings, has been a part of the organization for the past month and a half. He was for sure one of the more popular draft picks of the Vikings’ fan base for all he did at the University of Miami. It is easy to become a fan of his for his hard-hitting playstyle. It is also not just the common football fan who likes Thomas’ game; experts do as well. A lot of the NFL media are intrigued by what he could do at the next level, including an NFL draft analyst for ESPN, Field Yates.

“The exact impact Thomas will make on the Vikings’ defense is difficult to forecast, but that’s a testament to defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ creativity. Thomas has excellent size for a safety (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) and plays with an ultra-physical mentality. His on-ball production last season spoke for itself, as he had five interceptions and 3.5 sacks. Minnesota is in the process of reshaping its secondary, and Thomas will be a key part of that transition,” said Yates regarding Thomas.

Thomas, in his time with the Vikings since being drafted, has participated in both their rookie minicamp and their OTAs (optional team activities). Both junctions are essential for players in proving themselves. Many players at these are fighting just for a spot on the roster. In Thomas’ case, he is trying to prove himself a worthy candidate for a big role on Flores’ defense, the defensive coordinator for Minnesota.

The safety position battle for the Vikings is unique. There are mainly three players currently on the roster who would be competing for snaps with Thomas: Jay Ward, Josh Metullus, and Theo Jackson. All three players have only played with the Vikings over their NFL tenures, and all of them played a notable role for Minnesota last season.

One other player who has the potential to compete for snaps with Thomas is safety Harrison Smith. He has also only played with the Vikings in his career, which has spanned 14 seasons. With Smith being 37 years old, he is contemplating whether to return to play with Minnesota in 2026 or just retire. Smith has made six Pro Bowls and two All-Pro Teams in his career. So even at his age, he is sure to still play a meaningful role if he chooses to come back. While that could cut into Thomas’ snap share in his rookie season, Smith is a great veteran player, and it would be extremely beneficial for Thomas to learn from him.

Thomas will have more chances to prove he is a key piece of Minnesota’s secondary now and in the future, starting on June 9. The Vikings’ mandatory minicamp will be from June 9-11.