2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Miami (FL) S Jakobe Thomas

From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top 10 picks, down to Day 3 selections and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Miami (FL) S Jakobe Thomas.

No. 8 Jakobe Thomas/S Miami (FL) – 6012, 211 POUNDS (REDSHIRT SENIOR)

MEASUREMENTS

– Instinctive safety with strong route recognition skills
– Frequently is in position to make plays on the ball
– Has good sideline-to-sideline range
– Can play in multiple coverage roles
– Aggressive competitor in coverage and physical in engaging receivers at the point of attack
– Good size for the position with a densely built frame
– Strong hands to high-point the ball and disrupt passes
– Able to win jump balls with good verticality
– Particularly effective at jumping crossing routes and intermediate progressions
– Delivers big hits near the line of scrimmage
– Willing to support the run and comes down from his robber role to fill gaps
– Extensive snap count across three different programs
– Blitzing ability looked really good this past season when he was used in that role

THE BAD

– Often fails to wrap up tackles, coming at guys with reckless abandon that lets them slip by
– Average straight-line speed and can get stacked vertically by faster receivers
– Limited recovery burst to make up ground when he’s beaten
– Sometimes will get washed off blocks in the run game
– Leaves his feet too often as a tackler and hasn’t closed enough ground before lunging at guys
– Occasionally fooled by disguised plays and bites on misdirection
– Struggled more against guys in man coverage situations, especially with versatile route runners
– Locks on to the quarterback’s eyes too much that take him away from routes
– Has to be better on pursuit angles to square up on runners
– Tends to over-pursue plays to read and react quickly; aggressiveness leads to being out of position
– Doesn’t always seem to process information quickly and can be a step behind plays
– Has tight hips on intermediate routes to mirror the more elusive receivers

– Has 30 career starts with 51 total games played in 5 years between one year at Miami (FL), one year at Tennessee and 3 years at Middle Tennessee State University
– Career: 2,262 total snaps (1,039 FS, 813 SS, 347 slot CB, 16 outside CB)
– 275 special teams snaps (103 FG Block, 65 Kick Coverage, 57 Punt Coverage, 42 Punt Return, 8 Kick Return)
– 67.