Last week, plenty of eyebrows were raised when it was reported that veteran Tennessee Vols safety Jakobe Thomas was entering the transfer portal. What? Thomas was projected to be a potential starter for Josh Heupel and his defense.
It was stunning when the news came in and plenty of UT fans started to worry. However, perhaps Thomas is going to be making plays for the Vols in 2025 after all? In an interview with Davis Paschall of the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Tennessee standout Boo Carter told him that Thomas isn't going anywhere and he'll indeed remain with the team moving forward.
Tennessee DB Jakobe Thomas had a change of heart according to Boo Carter
(Nico) Iamaleava is among the six Tennessee players who have reportedly entered the NCAA transfer portal during this 10-day spring window that ended Friday night, but Carter said that fifth-year senior safety Jakobe Thomas has decided to stay with the Vols for a second consecutive year," Paschall wrote in his article. "Thomas and Andre Turrentine are the projected starters at safety, with Rickey Gibson III and Jermod McCoy the starting cornerbacks and Carter the starter at the "star" position."
While nothing has been made official there, it's important to note that Thomas isn't listed on 247Sports' transfer portal list. He's not on On3's either. This feels like a positive sign, but Carter telling Paschal the big news too is going to please a lot of people in Knoxville.
Thomas would have become the third Tennessee safety to transfer, joining John Slaughter and Christian Charles. After spending the first three years of his career at Middle Tennessee State, Thomas joined the Vols in 2024 and appeared in all 13 games.
Last campaign, with Tennessee reaching the College Football Playoff, Thomas posted 14 total tackles and two pass deflections. He indeed surprised a lot of people with his plans to leave the SEC powerhouse after just one season, but it looks like he might have had a change of heart. We'll wait to see something announced either from Thomas of the school to get overly excited, but Carter sure has a lot of Tennessee supporters feeling like a major problem has been averted.