Several disturbing reports about the Hurricanes room this season seemed to indicate that some players on the Miami football team were hesitant when it came to competition.
The Miami football team’s leading receiver Jeff Thomas’ departure, complaints on social media from Freshmen, quarterback Jarren Williams and running back Lorenzo Lingard’s about former Clemson QB Kelly Bryant potentially transferring to the Miami football program and other internal conflicts indicate a problem with competition.
Former Miami Head Coach Mark Richt did a great job holding players more accountable than Al Golden’s staff did. With Manny Diaz taking over and a new offensive staff coming in look for that to be increased even more with the new offensive staff.
Thomas’ departure was reportedly related to his frustration with how he was being used in the offense. Through the first three games of 2018, Thomas was on pace to set the Miami football record for receiving yards and all-purpose yards.
In the first three games of the Hurricanes season, Thomas had 11 receptions for 304 receiving yards. He was tied for the team lead with two touchdown receptions through the first three weeks of 2018. Thomas had 123 yards in kickoff returns and 90 yards in punt returns.
Thomas was on pace to finish the regular season with 44 receptions for 1,216 yards and eight touchdowns receiving. His pace would have added another 492 yards in kickoff returns and 360 yards in punt returns.
Thomas played in 11 of Miami’s 12 regular season games in 2018. He finished with 35 receptions for 563 yards to lead Miami and added three touchdowns. He added another 10 kickoff returns for 260 yards and returned nine punts for 221 yards and an exhilarating touchdown in what would be his final game in a Miami football uniform against Virginia Tech.