Every athlete has that one player that they watch and emulate and try to form their play after. For quarterbacks, many have picked Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes, for wide receivers is might be Randy Moss or Justin Jefferson. Whoever it is, players know that they can learn from those who came before them.
At Miami, for defensive back Jakobe Thomas, his play is inspired by the late Sean Taylor, who once played for the Hurricanes. Taylor's life and legacy are ones that has live on both at Miami and in the NFL, and Thomas wants to play like him.
Jakobe Thomas on taking inspiration from Sean Taylor: pic.twitter.com/9ChJzFHqAx
— Sebastian Font (@S_Font_Sports) January 17, 2026
Thomas talked about the way that Taylor played the game, like how he wanted to play. Taylor played with a lot of physicality and no fear, and for a football player, those are two really great traits to have. On the field, that is how Thomas wants to be remembered for his time at Miami.
Off the field, Thomas still wants to be like Taylor, known for the way he was in the locker room, taking care of his teammates when they needed him and being a good leader. Thomas will be bringing all of these traits to Hard Rock Stadium tonight as the Hurricanes take on the Indiana Hoosiers in the National Championship.
Thomas will have his work cut out for him as Indiana's offense is no joke. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza knows how to pick apart a defense, but they have yet to face one like Miami's. The Hurricanes have a lot of firepower on the defensive side of the ball and will hope to make things difficult for the Indiana quarterback.
The Hurricanes will take on the Hoosiers at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN in the National Championship. It all ends tonight as one team will be left hoisting the trophy above the rest in the end.