The Vols’ second commitment out of the portal.
Tennessee has landed its second commitment out of the transfer portal. The Volunteers, after seeing six defensive backs enter the transfer portal so far, have added a veteran body in former MTSU safety Jakobe Thomas.
Thomas announced his flip from Oregon State to Tennessee on Saturday evening.
BREAKING Tennessee picks up its second transfer as the #Vols flip Middle Tennessee State safety Jakobe Thomas from Oregon State.
The former Tullahoma HS standout is the No. 10 safety in the portal per @247Sports.
➡️ https://t.co/HLcEZ7ffS6 via @RyanCallahan247 pic.twitter.com/9PFzadhfhr
— GoVols247 (@GoVols247) December 16, 2023
Thomas committed to Oregon State earlier in the week, but quickly reversed course once the Tennessee offer came. The Tullahoma native jumped at the chance to finally wear the Orange and White. Tennessee’s staff convinced him to visit this weekend and sealed the deal with the former Blue Raider.
Thomas has two seasons of eligibility remaining. Auburn, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Washington State were also in the mix. Playing for MTSU this season, Thomas finished with 71 tackles and three tackles for loss. He was credited with five pass break-ups, a forced fumble, a blocked punt and a fumble recovery.
He figures to immediately factor into the mix at safety with Jaylen McCollough leaving and Wesley Walker likely also out. Tennessee will return Andre Turrentine, John Slaughter, Jourdan Thomas and Will Brooks next season. It’ll be up to Tim Banks and Willie Martinez to put that puzzle together, starting in the spring.