New Miami Hurricanes WR coach Taylor Stubblefield to challenge Jeff Thomas

Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz said during the offseason that junior wide receiver Jeff Thomas will not have a lot of room to slip up after his disciplinary issues in 2018. New WR coach Taylor Stubblefield said Thomas will be challenged.

Miami Hurricanes junior wide receiver Jeff Thomas led the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2018 despite being dismissed for the final two games of the season. When Manny Diaz succeeded Mark Richt as the head coach, Thomas was brought back to the Miami football program.

Diaz stated during the 2019 offseason that Thomas was being brought back with strict rules about how he would have to behave as a member of the Miami Hurricanes football program. Thomas is an exceptional talent. He reportedly would show up late to practice and had other disciplinary issues in 2018.

Taylor Stubblefield was hired as the new Miami wide receiver coach after Diaz fired the entire Hurricanes offensive coaching staff, less than 24 hours after succeeding Richt on December 30. A former All-American WR at Purdue, Stubblefield made it clear he will make communication with the players a priority.

Stubblefield told Inside the U that he is setting the standard of being consistent with the WR unit. That might be something that will benefit Thomas. Thomas also struggled with disciplinary issues at East St. Louis high school. He has the talent to be an all-American.

Thomas was on pace to set the Miami record for receiving and All-Purpose yards after the first few games in 2018. In Dan Enos’ new offense Thomas is likely to be the featured wide receiver. Thomas has a chance to continue on the pace for big numbers that he began in September 2018. Stubblefield spoke about what to expect.

"“I try not to have my head buried in the sand so I’m not oblivious to things. I know that the relationship has continued to be built, but I think that we are on the right path. I think that he (Thomas) is starting to trust me. I think I have been consistent with what I’ve said.I’ve been consistent with my actions and that’s what I ask of them as well. I’m going to communicate to you guys and you guys communicate to me. I want you guys to trust me, but you guys should want me to trust you as a well. That’s all part of this relationship building and we’re working on it every day.We’re going to challenge the heck out of Jeff.”"

Thomas is part of a starting wide receiver group with graduate transfer K.J. Osborn and fellow junior Mike Harley. It has been routinely stated throughout the offseason, during spring practice and in training camp, the positive influence Osborn has had on the Miami WR corps and taking command as the leader.

Osborn’s addition to the Miami football team will help Thomas and the backups behind him, Osborn and Harley mature and grow. The second team wide receivers for Miami are young. Getting them experience this season will be critical for the future of the Hurricanes passing game.