30 key Miami Hurricanes for 2025 season: Jakobe Thomas a veteran safety presence
The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2025 season on Aug. 31 with a marquee matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium (7:30 p.m., ABC).
With the calendar officially flipped to August, the Miami Herald is counting down 30 of the most important players on the Hurricanes’ roster, one per day leading up to the season opener, to provide a closer look at the team heading into coach Mario Cristobal’s fourth season.
Today: The No. 21 player on our list, Jakobe Thomas.
What to know
Position: Defensive back
Hometown: Tullahoma, Tennessee
Year: Redshirt senior
How he got to Miami: 2025 transfer (via Tennessee)
Key stats: 130 tackles, four interceptions, 10 pass breakups in 36 games (12 at Tennessee, 24 at Middle Tennessee State)
In summary: The Hurricanes had to replace both of their starting safeties from 2024 after Mishael Powell exhausted his collegiate eligibility and Jaden Harris transferred to Georgia. Jacksonville State transfer Zechariah Poyser is slated to take one of those spots. Scott, who joined UM via the transfer portal after spring ball, is the frontrunner for the second spot. He was solid at Middle Tennessee State to begin his collegiate career and then got a year of experience in the SEC while playing as a rotation player for Tennessee last year.
What they’re saying
“It’s fun. I’m able to I’m having fun with football again. That was a big thing for me, so just going in there every day trying to be the best version of myself. I have a great coaching staff that makes football fun, and I feel like a kid in a candy shop.” - Jakobe Thomas on his early impressions at Miami
“He’s such a physical presence, and he’s really smart, and he’s really hard on himself. He can take hard coaching, but there’s no question about the fact that he’s going to help us win football games and really improve our defense.” - Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal on Jakobe Thomas
“He’s a dog and a competitor. He’s a leader, a natural leader. I’m blessed to be around him. I’m picking up traits from him, so it’s a blessing to be around him, for sure.” - Zechariah Poyser on Jakobe Thomas
The rest of the series
No. 23: Defensive back Keionte Scott
No. 24: Running back Jordan Lyle
No. 25: Defensive back Damari Brown
No. 26: Defensive lineman Armondo Blount
No. 27: Wide receiver Malachi Toney
No. 28: Defensive back Ethan O’Connor
No. 29: Linebacker Kamal Bonner
No. 30: Running back CharMar Brown
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