The Miami Hurricanes produced another pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. S Jakobe Thomas goes to the Minnesota Vikings with 98th overall pick in the third round of the draft.
Thomas is the kind of player who makes the people who study film for a living look very, very smart. In a draft cycle dominated by the glamour of the trench stars on the defensive line, Thomas worked quietly and without fanfare – and yet more than one analyst tracking this Miami class called him the gem of the entire group, the player teams
would regret not taking earlier.
At 6’1″ and 214 pounds, he brought physicality to Corey Hetherman’s defense as a downhill run-stopping box safety who plays with an intensity that teams chasing culture will immediately recognize and value. He shows passion and aggressiveness with a closing burst that will leave a mark. Thomas recorded 76 tackles, including 3.5 sacks, and also has good ball skills recording five interceptions in 2025. He posted a 4.32 shuttle time as well as a 4.57 40-yard dash, reflecting real lateral range for a player who was never treated as a marquee prospect but produced at every level he was asked to compete at – transferring from Middle Tennessee State (was part of the 45-31 Miami upset) then to Tennessee and finally landed on Miami.
This is a good spot for Thomas who can continue his progression with coach Brian Flores and mentors in the secondary in Byron Murphy and Joshua Metellus.
He is a coachable product and will end up being a real steal. Congrats, Jakobe, and make things happen with Vikings.
