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Jakobe Thomas Enters the Transfer Portal: What It Means for the Tennessee Volunteers

Knoxville, TN — April 25, 2025

In a move that has caught both fans and insiders off guard, redshirt sophomore defensive back Jakobe Thomas has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, adding a surprising twist to Tennessee’s spring football narrative. While roster attrition is a normal part of college football in the portal era, the departure of a rising contributor like Thomas warrants a closer look—not just at his decision, but at what it means for the future of the Tennessee Volunteers defense.

“Jakobe’s a talented guy, and we wish him the best,” said head coach Josh Heupel in a brief statement. “He gave us everything he had, and we’re proud of his growth while he was here.”

Still, Thomas’s exit raises several important questions for Tennessee: How does this impact depth in the secondary? What opportunities does it create for younger players? And how might it reshape the Vols’ transfer portal strategy in the final stretch of the offseason?

Let’s break it all down.

Who Is Jakobe Thomas?

Jakobe Thomas arrived in Knoxville in 2022 as a 3-star prospect out of Milan, Tennessee. Though initially viewed as a developmental player, Thomas quickly earned respect for his versatility, football IQ, and commitment to special teams.

By 2023, he’d become a reliable rotational piece in the secondary, playing primarily at nickel and strong safety. Coaches often praised his instincts, physicality, and ability to line up across multiple positions in sub-packages.

In 2024, Thomas logged:

• 27 total tackles
• 2 pass breakups
• 1 interception
• 3 TFLs (tackles for loss)
• A fumble recovery in the Florida win

While not a full-time starter, Thomas was seen as a valuable contributor and an emerging leader—especially after a standout spring where he earned first-team reps in multiple practices.

So why the departure now?

The Timing: What We Know

Multiple sources close to the program suggest that Thomas’s decision came down to playing time projections and scheme fit. While he was heavily involved during spring ball, it appears Tennessee’s staff is moving toward a heavier rotation of true safeties and corners—leaving hybrid DBs like Thomas in a tougher spot.

Additionally, the recent emergence of sophomore safety Jordan Matthews, along with transfer buzz surrounding other DB targets, may have influenced Thomas’s long-term outlook.

“It’s about fit and future,” said one Vols staffer. “Jakobe wants to play—and he’s good enough to start somewhere. It just might not have been here.”

Thomas has not publicly commented, but he has already received interest from several Group of Five programs, along with Big Ten schools like Indiana and Purdue.

The On-Field Impact

Losing Thomas leaves Tennessee a little thinner at the nickel and hybrid safety spots, positions that require quick decision-making and the ability to cover tight ends and slot receivers. While Thomas wasn’t a full-time starter, he played over 300 snaps last season—so replacing him is no small task.

The current depth chart now looks something like this:

• Nickelback: Brandon Turnage (Sr.) / Christian Conyer (So.)
• Strong Safety: Jordan Matthews (So.) / Jack Luttrell (R-Fr.)
• Free Safety: Wesley Walker (Sr.) / Rickey Gibson III (So.)

Without Thomas, the Vols will need more out of their underclassmen—especially Luttrell, a hard-hitting redshirt freshman who impressed late in spring practices.

A Door Opens for Younger Players

As is often the case in college football, one player’s exit becomes another’s opportunity. For Tennessee, this could be a chance to fast-track the development of several younger defensive backs:

1. Christian Conyer (Sophomore)

A long, rangy corner who’s been getting some reps at nickel. He has elite recovery speed and is a prime candidate to inherit some of Thomas’s reps.

2. Jack Luttrell (Redshirt Freshman)

Physical, vocal, and aggressive—Luttrell is viewed as a “glue guy” by the staff. Coaches love his work ethic, and he could now slide into more game-action scenarios.

3. Jaylen McGill (Freshman)

An early enrollee from North Carolina who’s shown flashes of elite man coverage in spring ball. While likely not ready for major snaps, the staff sees him as a long-term chess piece in the secondary.

“We’ve got guys ready to step up,” said defensive coordinator Tim Banks. “That’s the culture here. When one guy moves on, someone else takes the torch.”

With the transfer portal closing for new entries today, Tennessee cannot add players who haven’t already entered. But because Thomas entered before the deadline, the Vols still have time to respond strategically.

They could look for:

• A graduate transfer safety or nickel with Power Five experience
• A JUCO player who brings immediate eligibility
• Or even shift an offensive player (WR/RB) into a two-way depth role

Names to watch in the portal include:

• Keshawn White, UCF DB who played under Heupel’s old staff
• Rodney Hinton, a fast-rising safety from Texas State with three years of eligibility
• Zion Daye, a hybrid linebacker/safety from Arizona who has visited several SEC schools

Whether Tennessee adds someone or not may depend on how confident the staff is in its player development pipeline—a factor they’ve leaned into heavily over the past two seasons.

One of the most underrated aspects of portal decisions is the locker room dynamic. Sources indicate that Thomas left on good terms, and Tennessee’s culture remains intact.

“We’re transparent with our guys,” said head coach Josh Heupel. “We talk about competition every day. If you want to stay, we’ll coach you hard and love you harder. If you want a new path, we’ll help you get there.”

That culture-first mentality has helped Tennessee avoid the massive exodus seen at other Power Five programs.

While Thomas’s exit is notable, Tennessee has retained nearly 90% of its two-deep rotation—a major win in an era of constant roster movement.

The Bigger Picture: Life in the Portal Era

Thomas’s departure is part of a larger trend in college football: Roster churn is the new normal.

In 2024 alone, over 3,200 FBS players entered the portal—an all-time record. Programs that navigate this environment best are those with:

• Clear communication
• Depth development
• Strong NIL support
• Flexible schematics

Tennessee checks most of those boxes. And while losing a player like Thomas isn’t ideal, the Vols are in a far stronger position than most SEC programs when it comes to managing attrition.

Fan Reaction: Mixed, but Respectful

Vol Nation, known for its passion and strong opinions, responded with a blend of surprise and support. Online forums lit up with speculation, but most fans expressed well-wishes for Thomas.

“Hate to see him go, but he gave us some big moments,” one fan wrote on Twitter. “Wish him nothing but success.”

Others see it as a chance for a younger player to shine.

“Next man up,” wrote another. “Trust in Heupel and Banks. They’ve earned it.”

What’s Next for Jakobe Thomas?

Though still early in the process, expect Thomas to land with a mid-to-upper-tier program that needs immediate secondary help. He brings:

• Two years of eligibility
• SEC game experience
• Special teams value
• Versatility across nickel, safety, and even corner roles

A fresh start could be exactly what he needs to flourish—and his professionalism during the transition has kept the door open for a positive legacy in Knoxville.

“He’ll always be a Vol in my eyes,” said linebacker Aaron Beasley. “Jakobe worked his tail off. That never changes.”

Final Thoughts: The Vols Keep Moving

Jakobe Thomas’s decision to enter the transfer portal is a moment worth analyzing—but it’s not one to panic over. The Vols have built a resilient, deep, and well-coached roster that can absorb these moves and keep progressing.

As the team heads toward summer workouts and fall camp, the focus will shift from who’s leaving to who’s emerging.

And if recent history is any indication, Tennessee has plenty of rising stars ready to seize the moment.