Sophomore wide receiver Jeff Thomas who was dismissed from the Miami football team with one game remaining in the regular season could be returning according to multiple reports.
Jeff Thomas led the Miami football team with 35 receptions for 563 yards this season. Thomas was dismissed from the Hurricanes, or quit, depending on whose story you trust after their win over Virginia Tech in November. Thomas was instrumental in the victory with a spectacular 51-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Thomas and former Miami Head Coach Mark Richt had a disagreement that led to Thomas’ dismissal. He reportedly missed a few team meetings. One of the Miami football players told Barry Jackson and Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald that Thomas left because he was unhappy and homesick.
After departing the Miami football team, Thomas later announced he would be returning home to play at the University of Illinois. Thomas starred at legendary East St. Louis High School about two hours from Champaign. All of Thomas’ tweets between September 2 and January 2 have been deleted.
Thomas previously had a Tweet pinned to his account thanking Miami for the opportunity and announcing his transfer to Illinois. The former four-star recruit would provide Illinois with a huge upgrade in talent at wide receiver for former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears Head Coach Lovie Smith.
Miller Degnan and Jackson reported that the decision on whether or not Thomas will return to play for the Miami football team will be up to new Head Coach Manny Diaz. The Herald reporters also stated that one player told them that it is expected that Thomas will return to Hurricanes football team.
In his statement about Thomas’ dismissal, Richt expressed that was the receiver’s lack of commitment to his teammates that was part of the reason he was not part of the Miami football team anymore.
"“We have high standards for excellence, for conduct and for the commitment to team for all of the young men who wear our uniform.”"
Thomas would be a huge boost to a wide receiving corps that does not have a lot of experience returning. Thomas’ classmate Mike Harley had 21 receptions for 240 yards last season. Harley who will be a Junior is still looking for his first touchdown in college. Miami also will add Graduate Transfer K.J. Osborn from Buffalo.
Thomas, Harley and Osborn would give Miami a talented and explosive trio at wide receiver. Osborn had 53 receptions for 892 yards, a 16.8 yards per reception average and seven touchdowns for the Bulls in 2018.
Thomas’ changes on his social media accounts have caught the attention from the Miami Football fanbase, media and even one University of Miami Sports Hall of Famer.
So I just read a article saying UM Wide Receiver Jeff Thomas May return back to The University of Miami. So can someone fill me in on the sudden change. 🤔
— Bryant Mckinnie (@BryantMckinnie) January 13, 2019
Everything with Thomas seems to be fluid. Things are moving very fast with the Miami football team. Finalizing the coaching staff, new players transferring in, some potentially transferring out and the February 6 National Signing Day less than three weeks away have kept the Hurricanes newscycle updating every few hours.
Manny Diaz has infused a bolt of excitement into the Miami Football program. There was a lot of negativity, and rightfully so, following the lackluster 35-3 loss to Wisconsin in the Pinstripe Bowl.