Miami Hurricanes add veteran safety in the portal, await word from another
The Miami Hurricanes added more depth and experience at safety on Thursday night when they picked up a commitment from former Tennessee defensive back Jakobe Thomas, who visited the UM campus a day earlier.
Thomas, 6-2, had 22 tackles, a sack, three tackles for loss and two passes defended in 263 defensive snaps last season, allowing six completions in eight targets for 103 yards, a 116.7 passer rating against.
Previously, he had 13 starts in three years at Middle Tennessee State. He had four interceptions in 2022, his only picks in four college seasons.
On3 ranks Thomas as the 24th-ranked safety in the portal.
He joins Zechariah Poyser, Markeith Williams, Dylan Day, Isaiah Taylor and freshmen Amari Wallace and Bryce Fitzgerald as safeties on UM’s roster. Jadais Richard, coming off a major November knee injury, can play safety or cornerback.
Meanwhile, UM continues to pursue All Big 12 safety AJ Haulcy, the former Houston Cougar who visited the Canes’ campus this week.
Per On3.com’s Peter Nakos, Miami has made Haulcy the highest financial offer, but LSU has emerged as strong opposition.
“While Miami has the highest offer on the table and has gone all out, the possibility of playing closer to home in the SEC has LSU still very much alive and holding the momentum,” Nakos said. “However, as of 4:30 p.m. CT on Thursday, no deal has been finalized on either side, and Haulcy has not announced a commitment.
“Miami has made a competitive offer, but the Hurricanes are also not going to overpay for the safety.”
Nakos said Haulcy likely will command $700,000 to $800,000 on a one-year deal “but his asking price has been more.”
If UM lands Haulcy, he very likely would start opposite Poyser. Thomas, conversely, could start but is no cinch to win the job.
The Canes have added six players since spring practice ended: Thomas, North Dakota State running back CharMar Brown, North Carolina State linebacker Kamal Bonner, Texas kicker Bert Auburn and wide receivers Keelan Marion (BYU) and Tony Johnson (Cincinnati).
Meanwhile, standout former Rutgers standout linebacker Mohamad Toure visited UM on Thursday and is considering the Canes, Penn State and Indiana. He missed the 2022 and 2024 seasons with a torn ACL but was very good in 2023.
This story was originally published May 1, 2025 at 7:20 PM.
