The news of Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Jeff Thomas signing with the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent might be exactly what the mercurial player needs.
Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Jeff Thomas should fit well into the offensive system that the New England Patriots run. Signing with New England and the Patriots way might be what the often troubled WR needs to begin his NFL career. Thomas is going to have to learn quickly to adapt to the Bill Belichick way.
Thomas had had difficulty with authority throughout his football career dating back to high school. Electing to sign with New England should provide Thomas with more structure than most NFL teams expect. The Patriots have been the best franchise for the last 20 years because of the expectations Belichick has from his players.
Jeff Thomas is a fast and gifted WR and return man who has the potential to make a big play every time he touches the ball. At 5-8 7/8, 170 pounds, Thomas is going to have to add muscle during the offseason. Thomas was suspended a few times during his three seasons with Miami and almost left the program in 2018.
When Manny Diaz was hired to replace Mark Richt in late 2018, Thomas was welcomed back to the Hurricanes in January 2019. Thomas was on his way to transfer near his hometown in East Saint Louis, Illinois to join the Illinois football program. Thomas signs In New England, beginning life without Tom Brady.
In three seasons at Miami, Thomas had 83 receptions for 1,316 yards and eight touchdowns in 34 games. Thomas goes undrafted after being ranked the 40th best player, fifth-best WR and second-best player in Illinois in 2017. Thomas set an Under Armour All-American game record with 148 receiving yards in 2017.
The performance on just three receptions with two going for TDs earned Thomas the Under Armour Game MVP Award. Those accolades are in the distant past by football standards. Thomas is going to have to show Belichick and the Patriots staff he is dedicated and willing to put in the work necessary to succeed in the NFL.
Making an impact in the return game will be critical for Thomas to have a chance to make the Patriots 53-man roster. New England has veterans Julian Edelman and Mohammad Sanu returning at WR, drafted former Arizona State WR N’Keal Harry in the first round in 2019 and signed Marquise Lee as a free agent last month.
New England finished ninth in the NFL in punt returns in 2019 averaging eight yards per return with Sanu and Gunnar Olszewski sharing the duties. The Patriots were 17th in kickoff returns averaging 22.1 YPR. Running back Brandon Bolden was the primary kick returner for New England in 2019.
In three seasons at Miami, Thomas averaged 22.6 yards on 54 kickoff returns and an astronomical 18.9 yards on 14 punt returns with one TD. A propensity for not securing the ball as a collegian will be a quick way to be cut in the NFL. Thomas lost his job as Miami’s primary punt returner following a costly muff vs. Florida in 2019.
Thomas will be joined in New England by Miami defensive end Trevon Hill who also signed with the Patriots after going undrafted. Both players have an opportunity with the best organization in the NFL after disciplinary issues in college. Thomas needs to show he has matured and can be the explosive player most expect him in the NFL.