Tennessee safety predicted to transfer to Miami by On3's Pete Nakos

On3's Pete Nakos, who covers the transfer portal closely, has logged a new prediction for Tennessee safety JaKobe Thomas. Nakos predicts, with 60% confidence, that Thomas will commit to the University of Miami. The prediction comes just one day after Thomas reportedly took a visit to Coral Gables.

Thomas transferred from Middle Tennessee State to Tennessee prior to the 2024 season and played a rotational role for the Volunteers, recording 22 tackles, one sack, and two pass breakups. At Middle Tennessee State in 2022, Thomas recorded four interceptions (one for a touchdown), three pass deflections, one fumble recovery, and 27 solo tackles. In 2023, he logged 52 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, five pass deflections, and one forced fumble.

Miami was also in contention for Thomas' teammate, DB Christian Charles, but lost out for his services to the University of Virginia. In his time at Tennessee, Charles appeared in 30 games accumulating 71 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, and a pass breakup.

Neither Thomas or Charles are ranked particularly high in the transfer portal player rankings but Miami is being agressive in the DB market. After losing Zaquan Patterson, who is the currently the 15th best player in the portal, the Hurricanes could use some depth in that department.

Currently the Hurricanes are in the running for Thomas out of Tennessee, Keionte Scott out of Auburn/Houston, AJ Haulcy out of Houston, Colton Hood out of Colorado, and Brent Austin out of USF. Haulcy of Houston also recently took a visit to Miami.

He is rated as the No. 1 player available according to On3 and the Canes treated him like it by pulling out all of the stops during his most recent visit. Haulcy was treated to a dinner in South Beach with media and music mogul Rick Ross. If Thomas commits to Miami it is unclear if that will impact Haulcy's decision.