Jakobe Mekhi Thomas (born June 30, 2003) is an American professional football safety for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, the Tennessee Volunteers and the Miami Hurricanes. He was selected by the Vikings in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft.
 Thomas in 2026 | |
| No. 8 – Minnesota Vikings | |
|---|---|
| Position | Safety |
| Roster status | Active |
| Personal information | |
| Born | June 30, 2003 Starkville, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Listed weight | 211 lb (96 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Tullahoma (Tullahoma, Tennessee) |
| College | Middle Tennessee (2021–2023) Tennessee (2024) Miami (FL) (2025) |
| NFL draft | 2026: 3rd round, 98th overall pick |
| Career history | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Early life
editThomas was born and grew up in Starkville, Mississippi before moving to Tullahoma, Tennessee,[1] where he would attend Tullahoma High School. Coming out of high school, he committed to play college football for the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders.[2]
College career
editMiddle Tennessee
editDuring his first collegiate season in 2021, Thomas used the season to redshirt.[3] In the 2022 season, he played in all 12 games making three starts, where he notched 37 tackles with one going for a loss, three pass deflections, four interceptions, and a forced fumble.[4] During the 2023 season, Thomas became a full-time starter, where he totaled 71 tackles with three being for a loss, five pass deflections, and a forced fumble, where after the conclusion of the season, he decided to enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[5][6]
Tennessee
editThomas transferred to play for the Tennessee Volunteers, after initially committing to play for the Oregon State Beavers.[7] In his first season in 2024, he played in all 13 games, recording 22 tackles, a sack, and two pass deflections.[8][9] After the conclusion of the 2024 season, Thomas decided to once again enter his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[10]
Miami (FL)
editThomas transferred to play for the Miami Hurricanes.[11] He entered the 2025 season, as one of the Hurricanes starting safeties.[12] In week four of the 2025 season, Thomas totaled five tackles with one and a half being for a loss, and a sack in a win over rival Florida.[13] In week six, he recorded five tackles, a sack, two pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble in a 28-22 victory against rival Florida State, where for his performance he was named the ACC defensive back of the week, and the Bronco Nagurski Defensive Player of the week.[14] In week eleven, Thomas notched an interception in a victory versus Syracuse.[15]
Professional career
edit| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | Wingspan | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Vertical jump | Broad jump | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 1+1⁄4 in (1.86 m) | 211 lb (96 kg) | 31+7⁄8 in (0.81 m) | 10+5⁄8 in (0.27 m) | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 4.58 s | 1.63 s | 2.64 s | 4.32 s | 33.0 in (0.84 m) | 9 ft 11 in (3.02 m) | ||
| All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[16][17] | ||||||||||||
Thomas was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the third round with the 98th overall pick of the 2026 NFL draft.[18]
References
edit- ↑ Sparks, Adam (November 4, 2024). "Jakobe Thomas switched from Mississippi State fan to Tennessee as a kid". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved November 18, 2025.
- ↑ Birdsong, Zach (December 16, 2020). "Thomas signs with MTSU". Tullahoma News. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ Ramey, Grant (April 28, 2025). "Tennessee Football transfer Jakobe Thomas sets two visits". On3.com. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ Sandle, Justice (April 29, 2025). "Miami Set to Host Tennessee Defensive Back Jakobe Thomas on Official Visit". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ Daschel, Nick. "Oregon State secures fourth transfer of the week in Middle Tennessee State safety Jakobe Thomas". OregonLive.com. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ Paschall, David (August 28, 2024). "Jakobe Thomas no longer on the outside looking in at the Vols". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ Wilson, Mike (December 16, 2023). "Jakobe Thomas transfers to Tennessee football from Middle Tennessee State". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ Lichtenstein, Adam (August 7, 2025). "Hurricanes portal addition Jakobe Thomas wants to play in a 'legendary defense' at UM". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ Ragan, Zach. "Former Tennessee Vols defender who unexpectedly left the program had one of the best performances in college football this week". A to Z Sports. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ Paschall, David (April 24, 2025). "Jakobe Thomas becomes third Vols safety to enter spring portal". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ Deyo, Gray. "Jakobe Thomas transfers to Miami". Tullahoma News. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ McPherson, Jordan. "30 key Miami Hurricanes for 2025 season: Jakobe Thomas a veteran safety presence". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ Sandle, Justice. "Miami's Jakobe Thomas Pays Tribute To Hurricanes Legend". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ McPherson, Jordan. "Jakobe Thomas' 'better feel for the defense' making him a threat in the secondary". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ McPherson, Jordan. "'I didn't know I caught it': Thomas talks wild interception in Miami win over Syracuse". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
- ↑ Reuter, Chad; Zierlein, Lance. "Jakobe Thomas Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Jakobe Thomas College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
- ↑ Young, Lindsey (April 24, 2026). "Vikings Select Miami Safety Jakobe Thomas with 98th Overall Pick". Vikings.com. Minnesota Vikings. Retrieved April 24, 2026.