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

In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, roster turnover has become a constant. Between the NFL Draft, graduation, and the increasingly active NCAA transfer portal, coaching staffs are required to adapt quickly or risk being left behind. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and his defensive staff are now facing one of those defining moments, as safety Jakobe Thomas has officially entered the transfer portal.

The move comes as somewhat of a surprise. Thomas, a transfer from Middle Tennessee State who joined the Vols in 2024, was projected to play a major role in Tennessee’s secondary this fall. His decision to transfer raises significant questions about Tennessee’s defensive depth and plans in the secondary, and it adds yet another twist to what’s shaping up to be a pivotal offseason in Knoxville.

Jakobe Thomas began his college career at Middle Tennessee, where he steadily climbed the depth chart and emerged as a hard-hitting, reliable safety. Known for his physicality, instincts, and versatility, Thomas entered the transfer portal after the 2023 season and chose Tennessee in hopes of elevating his game in the SEC.

In his lone season with the Volunteers, Thomas made an immediate impact. Appearing in all 13 games, he registered 22 tackles, including 14 solo stops, two pass deflections, and a key sack in the Vols’ bowl game win over NC State. He played 263 defensive snaps and finished the year with a Pro Football Focus grade of 68.5, the second-highest among Tennessee safeties behind Will Brooks.

But his biggest value came as a run-stopper. Thomas earned a 74.8 run defense grade, helping to solidify a Vols run defense that ranked among the SEC’s top five for most of the 2024 season.

Despite the performance, Thomas’ departure signals a change of direction—either for the player, the coaching staff, or both.

While no specific reason has been made public, there are a few plausible explanations.

First, competition in the secondary is ramping up. Tennessee is welcoming in a strong group of defensive backs, including blue-chip freshmen and a few returning veterans. Players like Andre Turrentine, Edrees Farooq, and Jourdan Thomas are all vying for snaps at safety. It’s possible that Thomas saw the writing on the wall and opted to explore other opportunities where he might have a clearer path to playing time.

Second, Tennessee has quietly shifted its defensive philosophy. With new schematic wrinkles expected from defensive coordinator Tim Banks heading into 2025, some players may not fit quite as seamlessly into the evolving system. If Thomas felt his skill set would be better utilized elsewhere—or if coaches viewed others as better fits for the scheme—it could have influenced his decision.

Lastly, we can’t ignore the reality of NIL and the fluidity of modern recruiting. Players are often enticed by more than just playing time—sometimes it’s about money, location, or an opportunity to rebrand themselves at another school.

Thomas’ exit marks the third safety to leave the program this offseason, joining Christian Charles and John Slaughter in the portal. That leaves Tennessee in a precarious position when it comes to depth in the back end of the defense.

Here’s how the safety room currently stands:

• Andre Turrentine is now the most experienced safety on the roster. He started all 12 regular season games in 2024 and played well enough to be penciled in as a starter again.
• Edrees Farooq, a sophomore, showed flashes of promise last season. Coaches love his athletic upside, but he’s still relatively unproven in extended action.
• Jourdan Thomas is coming off a knee injury that wiped out his 2024 season. His return could help solidify the back end, especially if he shifts from nickelback to safety.
• Boo Carter, a highly-touted freshman, is expected to contribute early—most likely at nickelback—but could also see time at safety in certain packages.
• Sylvester Smith and Ricky Gibson III provide rotational depth, but haven’t played significant snaps at the position yet.

In short, Tennessee still has talent. But the margin for error is razor-thin.

With spring practices wrapped up and rosters around the country taking shape, the second transfer portal window has opened—and Tennessee is very much in the market.

The Vols have added five transfers this offseason, but none in the defensive backfield. With three safeties now gone, expect Josh Heupel and his staff to scour the portal for veteran help. Tennessee doesn’t necessarily need a star—just a dependable, assignment-sound safety who can provide depth and leadership.

There are already whispers that the Vols have reached out to a handful of portal safeties, including those with starting experience at Power Five programs. If Tennessee can land a late spring or early summer addition, it would go a long way toward shoring up a position group that’s dangerously close to being thin.

Make no mistake—Tennessee is in win-now mode. After a 10–3 season capped by a bowl victory and a near-miss of the College Football Playoff, expectations are sky-high in Knoxville.

But this program, like many others, is still navigating the new world of college football, where roster building is a year-round task. The Vols have seen major turnover on defense, especially in the secondary, and the departure of Jakobe Thomas is just the latest example.

The question becomes: Can the Vols plug the holes fast enough to compete with Georgia, Alabama, and a rapidly improving Texas team in the expanded SEC?

The answer may depend less on Thomas himself and more on how Tennessee responds to his departure.

If Edrees Farooq continues to develop, and if Jourdan Thomas returns to form, the Vols may not miss a beat. If Boo Carter becomes the impact freshman he’s expected to be, the secondary could even take a step forward.

But if Tennessee whiffs in the portal or suffers another key injury at safety, Thomas’ decision could loom large all season long.

Jakobe Thomas wasn’t just a productive player—he was also a vocal presence in the locker room. Coaches and teammates regularly praised his football IQ and leadership, particularly during film study and game preparation.

His loss won’t just be felt on the field—it could impact the culture in the defensive back room. With the unit already dealing with instability and turnover, the coaching staff will need returning leaders like Turrentine and Brooks to step up and guide the younger players.

Josh Heupel has made it clear that leadership will be a defining factor for this team’s 2025 outlook. Replacing Thomas’s voice is one more challenge in that journey.

As with every departure in today’s college football climate, the key question is simple: What’s next?

For Jakobe Thomas, it could be a fresh start and a more prominent role elsewhere. For Tennessee, it’s a test of depth, adaptability, and recruiting strategy.

Josh Heupel and his staff have done an admirable job building a resilient roster capable of absorbing unexpected losses. But losing a projected starter—especially one as steady as Thomas—adds more urgency to Tennessee’s offseason plans.

The Vols still have the pieces to field an elite defense, but with Georgia, Alabama, and Oklahoma all on the 2025 schedule, there’s no room for missteps.

This is where Tennessee will prove whether it’s merely a good program—or one truly ready to take the next step as a national title contender.