Complete article at:

https://www.vikings.com/news/jakobe-thomas-2026-nfl-draft-5-things-to-know

5 Things to Know About Vikings 3rd Round Draft Pick Jakobe Thomas 

1. Impressed during playoff run

...The postseason continued an impressive 16-game run in his lone season in Miami. Thomas recorded 76 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, five interceptions, six pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles last season. ...

2. Backup to starter to backup to starter

...Thomas moved into a starting role as a junior. In 11 games (10 starts), he totaled 71 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. ...

He transferred to the University of Tennessee and appeared in 13 games as a reserve in 2024 before Miami reached out during its roster-building for 2025 and reaped rewards from signing Thomas, who earned Second-Team All-ACC honors.

3. Familiarity with Vikings

... Thomas, visited Minnesota during the Vikings Top 30 program. ...

4. High school highs

In addition to playing cornerback and safety on defense, Thomas played receiver and running back for the Tullahoma Wildcats. He garnered 2019 Region 4-4A Athlete of the Year honors as a junior when he logged 29 receptions for 496 yards and six touchdowns to go along with 482 yards and eight scores on 68 rush attempts.

In 2020, Thomas primarily played running back and helped Tullahoma go 12-1, rushing for 886 yards and 16 touchdowns on 98 carries and catching 24 passes for 394 yards and five scores, reaching semifinalist status for Class 4A Mr. Football. ...

5. Finding football from the get-go

... Asked when he fell in love with football, Thomas explained his mom has "a baby picture of me, the first picture she ever took of me, holding a football." ...