Jakobe Thomas grew up in Tullahoma as a Tennessee Vols football fan, but never had the opportunity to attend a game at Neyland Stadium.
Next weekend, he’ll be one of the Vols running the Power T himself. Thomas, who transferred from Middle Tennessee State, is counting down the days until the season opener.
“I’ve always watched the games from the outside,” Thomas said Friday. “So next Saturday will be the first time I’ll be able to stand in front of a full crowd and actually be part of the experience… They say the Vols fans are the craziest, so I’m really excited to just go to Neyland and play a game.”
Tennessee lost almost its entire defensive secondary this offseason. Thomas was one of the best safeties in Conference USA the last two seasons.
When he arrived in Knoxville, he seemed certain of the starting spot, but walk-on Will Brooks has created competition. Brooks made a few first-team appearances as a safety last week before UT’s practice ended, and coaches have had high praise for him in the preseason.
Defensive coordinator Tim Banks said it was a “volatile situation for everybody.” Thomas had a “really good training camp,” Banks said, and he is a good tackler with a physical presence.
“I like what he has … I’m excited about his status and his development,” Banks said. “I’ve been able to see it in games, just like I’ve seen all these guys play in games. Practice is one thing, obviously playing is another. But if he stays true to what he’s done so far, I think he’s going to have a great year.”
Sophomore Rickey Gibson and Oregon State transfer Jermod McCoy are expected to start at cornerback. Temple transfer Jalen McMurray and redshirt freshman Jordan Matthews will also be in the rotation.
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Andre Turretine is expected to start at safety, while Brooks and Thomas compete for the other safety spot. Sophomore Christian Harrison and freshman Boo Carter compete at nickelback.
The pace in Tennessee was on a whole different level for Thomas, as he had to adjust to competing against SEC-level receivers every day in practice. But now that Tennessee is wrapping up the preseason, everything has “definitely slowed down,” Thomas said.
“I definitely feel very, very comfortable on defense,” Thomas said. “I feel like I know it like the back of my hand. I feel really, really comfortable there now.”
Cora Hall covers women’s athletics at the University of Tennessee. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @corahalllIf you like Cora’s reporting, consider a digital subscription that gives you access to all of her coverage.
