Junior Wide receiver Jeff Thomas announced as expected on Friday that he decided to forego his final season of college eligibility and enter the NFL Draft. Thomas will not be participating in the NFL Independence Bowl with his Miami football teammates.
The decision by junior wide receiver Jeff Thomas to enter the NFL Draft and give up his last season of collegiate eligibility with the Miami football program is one that is probably best for everyone. Thomas had a turbulent tenure in Coral Gables. That included almost leaving the program after the 2018 season.
Thomas was either dismissed with two games to go in the 2018 season or left the program depending on if you trust him or former Miami head coach Mark Richt. He was also suspended for two games this season by first-year head coach Manny Diaz. Thomas led Miami with 35 receptions for 563 yards and three touchdowns in 2018.
Thomas nearly replicated his reception total with 31 for 379 yards and three touchdowns in 2019. As part of his announcement, Thomas stated that he was skipping the Independence Bowl. Thomas is the third Miami player to leave for the NFL Draft and forego the Independence Bowl.
Miami lost defensive ends Jonathan Garvin and Trevon Hill early last week. Garvin is also giving up his last year of collegiate eligibility to enter the NFL Draft. Hill is just missing the Independence Bowl after playing for the Miami football team in 2019 as a graduate transfer from Virginia Tech.
Thomas gave a statement regarding his decision.
"“I will carry these experience(s) and brotherhoods with me for the rest of my life. I also want to thank the fans for their support the last three years. With the support of Coach Diaz, I will be pursing a lifelong dream and declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft.I look forward to preparing for the next level and showing what I am capable of.”"
Jeff Thomas announces in an Instagram post that he will declare for the NFL draft and skip UM’s bowl game. pic.twitter.com/lf6ALwVjJr
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) December 13, 2019
There has been speculation that the Miami football program could lose more juniors. The two most prominent names have been running back DeeJay Dallas and cornerback Trajan Bandy. Dallas suffered a dislocated elbow that ended his season in the second to last game fo the regular season against Florida International.
Dallas has not announced a decision yet if he will return for his senior season. Bandy seems ready to play in the Independence Bowl and then make a decision from there. Thomas parting ways with Miami is best for all parties. His decision to leave early is the fourth WR Miami has lost with eligibility left since the end of the 2018 season.
Lawrence Cager left after the end of last season as a graduate transfer to Georgia. Former 2018 four-star signee Marquez Ezzard transferred to Georgia Tech and sophomore Brian Hightower entered the transfer portal after this season. There is still plenty of talent for the Hurricanes at WR returning for 2020.
Graduate transfer K.J. Osborn is the only WR expected to be lost off the Miami football roster at the end of the 2019 season. Junior Mike Harley and sophomores Dee Wiggins and Mark Pope showed significant improvement this season. MIami also returns Jeremiah Payton who will be a redshirt freshman in 2020.