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Tennessee flips Oregon State commit Jakobe Thomas

On3 imageby:Austin Price•12/16/23•

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Tennessee native Jakobe Thomas didn’t have the opportunity to pick Tennessee coming out of Tullahoma high school. Just a few years later, the MTSU transfer and Oregon State commitment has turned in orange and black for orange and white in flipping to the Vols.

“Growing up in Tennessee, it was one of those things, where you just bleed Orange and White,” Thomas said. “It is an acquired culture. Out of high school, I wasn’t really recruited by Tennessee, but Coach Heup really changed the culture of football here. A couple of years ago, Tennessee wasn’t as much of a winning program, but then he came in here and changed it around. I have always wanted to be here, so I had to put myself into a position where I could be here. As soon as I got a call from Coach Heupel, there was immediate interest. I just had to make sure it was a great fit for me and let my childhood dreams get in my way and cloud my decision. But Coach Banks and Coach Heup have treated me like a son, and I feel like I am home. Coach Heupel is a great coach and a great man, and they are on the verge of something great, and I want to be a part of that. I want to be someone who can help this team make history.”

He committed to the Beavers earlier this week and a flip so soon may seem odd but he had a valid reason for taking Oregon State when he did.

“So, the transfer portal is a very weird thing,” Thomas said. “I talked to Tennessee last Monday, and they told me they would get back to me. A lot of coaches (at other schools) have told me that and not got back to me. I was scared, and I didn’t want to get lost in there like some other guys did. When I committed, Coach Banks called, and I told him I was still here, and they didn’t quit showing interest, so I couldn’t turn the opportunity down.”

He has several memories of Tennessee football growing up. Some good and some bad.

“The Pruitt stage,” he said. “Jarrett Guarantano. Jauan Jennings. I remember Josh Dobbs and the Georgia hail mary. Those are some of the key moments for me in middle school and high school, when I think back on Tennessee, those are some of the biggest moments.”

Tennessee has lost some members of the secondary so the opportunity is there for Thomas to make an impact.

“With a lot of guys leaving, there are a lot young guys in the room and a lot of young guys in the room, and I think Coach Banks hit on it by saying I am experieced guy and a veteran that can come in and show what a work ethic is like and how it clicks,” Thomas said. “Just maturity. I think Coach Banks has a plan for me and what I can do for the team. Really, it is all in my hands; I can take the opportunity and make the most of it, or I can run it in the ground.”

He plans on getting to campus this coming week for bowl prep and to be around his new teammates.

“I am trying to get here next week, and get that Orange and White on,” Thomas said. “I am ready to go now. The first thing I am looking forward to is meeting my teammates, and getting to know the guys I am going to be grinding and sweating with. Watching practice, they all have a great work ethic and get after it. That is one of the most exciting things for me and really seeing what Tennessee is like. I know it is going to be hard and tough, but I am ready to push through and do what I do.”

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