Two of the Hurricanes’ most important transfers this offseason arrived relatively late in the year.
Defensive backs Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas arrived in the spring transfer window, meaning they would have to wait until fall camp to go through full practices with their new team.
Compared to players who arrived in the spring, the late start has not held these two back. Scott and Thomas have become integral parts of No. 2 Miami’s revamped secondary.
“We thought those two guys were the perfect fit for us,” UM coach Mario Cristobal said.
Thomas was the first of the two to commit to the Hurricanes. Thomas arrived at Miami after one season at Tennessee and three seasons at Middle Tennessee State. He was a starter at Middle Tennessee State and was part of a rotation with the Volunteers. Thomas appealed to the Hurricanes’ staff for several reasons.
“Watching Jakobe, who was a starter and then split time (at Tennessee), we thought that, one, his ability to communicate, because you see that on film all the time,” Cristobal said. “You saw, No. 2, the way he would trigger. His reaction time was off the charts. And then, No. 3, his physicality was something that was really, really impressive. And we needed to be more physical and better tacklers in the perimeter with the ability to play man-to-man.”
Scott committed a few days later. He had played three seasons at Auburn and transferred to Houston after the 2024 season. He left the Cougars and went to Miami before playing a game for Houston. Scott played well in his first two years at Auburn but struggled last year. Despite his rough play last year, Cristobal said he believed UM was getting a “top-shelf player” to contribute at nickelback.
“He’s a guy that allows it so you don’t have to sub,” defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman said. “He can play in the box, he can play in space, he can play coverage. He plays man-to-man on guys really well. He shows the ability to blitz. He does so many different things well, and it allows us just be more versatile on defense.”
So far this season, both defensive backs have performed well. Thomas has 20 tackles — which is tied with Scott for the team lead among defensive backs — 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Thomas made his first interception as a Hurricane in the win over Florida State last weekend, and he was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week. Pro Football Focus gives Thomas a 73.9 defensive grade, and his 87.9 pass-rush grade leads ACC safeties and is fourth nationally.
“Just within our schemes, he’s getting better and better every single week,” Hetherman said. “And that’s where some of the miscues that we had in camp, or earlier in the season, in those first two to three games — now, those are things that now his awareness level is even better. He’s got a better feel for the defense.”
Scott has been just as good, if not better. In addition to his 20 tackles, Scott has three pass deflections and four tackles for loss. PFF gives him an 83.6 defensive grade, which it rates first in the ACC and 10th in the nation among safeties with 100 or more snaps.
Fortunately for Miami, Cristobal said both players would say they are just scratching the surface of their abilities.
“They’ll be the first to tell you they’re unsatisfied,” Cristobal said. “They have not played to their full potential yet, but they have certainly made us better. They’re progressing really well. They’re doing a really good job, and their best football’s ahead.”
