Tennessee defensive back Jakobe Thomas commits to transfer to Miami

Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Jakobe Thomas has committed to transfer to the Miami Hurricanes, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett. He began his college career with the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders.

Jakobe Thomas played his high school football at Tullahoma in Tennessee. A member of the Class of 2020, he joined MTSU in December of 2020. He spent three seasons there, including taking a redshirt in 2021, before transferring to Tennessee for the 2024 season. Then, in April, he entered the Transfer Portal once again. Given when he entered the Transfer Portal, he wouldn’t be able to transfer to another SEC school without sitting out for a season.

According to the On3 Transfer Portal Rankings, Jakobe Thomas is a three-star recruit. He’s also the 322nd-ranked player nationally and the 24th-ranked safety.

In 13 games last season with the Volunteers, he had 22 total tackles, including three tackles for a loss and a sack. He also had two passes defended. That came in a season where an excellent Tennessee defense helped to lead the team to the College Football Playoff.

Statistically, Jakobe Thomas had his best seasons with MTSU. In 2022, he had all four of his career interceptions. He then followed that up in 2023 with 71 total tackles and five passes defended.

The Miami Hurricanes are coming off their first 10-win season under head coach Mario Cristobal. That was also the program’s first 10-win season since 2017. However, the Hurricanes did lose their bowl appearance, meaning the Hurricanes still haven’t won a bowl game since 2016.

The defense, meanwhile, was 68th in the country in scoring defense, giving up 25.3 points per game. Miami’s secondary finished 57th in passing defense, allowing 214.4 passing yards per game. On top of that, they also forced 14 interceptions. Those 14 interceptions amount to a tie for 27th nationally in interceptions forced.

Throughout Cristobal’s time in Miami, he has leaned heavily on the Transfer Portal. This year hasn’t been any different. Miami currently has the fifth-ranked transfer class in the 2025 cycle, according to the On3 College Football Team Transfer Portal Rankings. That has included 21 transfers leave and 17 transfers entering the program. However, Jakobe Thomas is not yet included in that number.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.