To quote Thomas, “I feel amazing about it,” Inside the Rebels. “I spend a lot more time in Oxford lately. With Coach Wes Neighbors (safeties), Coach Bryan Brown (cornerbacks), and Coach Pete Golding (defensive coordinator), I have undoubtedly forged close relationships. I think they’re pretty decent.”
According to the industry-generated 247Sports Composite index, Thomas is regarded as the No. 9 player in the state of Mississippi’s 2025 class and the No. 19 safety in America. In addition to Arkansas, Kentucky, and Mississippi State, he also committed to Ole Miss over offers from the SEC from Colorado, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Memphis, Southern Miss, Tulane, UNLV, South Florida, Arkansas State, Middle Tennessee State, and other schools.
College Football Overtime: Cam Ward’s move to Miami completes the circle and sets up the major takeaways from a packed first week of analysis, grades, and accolades from the first week of college football in 2024, courtesy of national reporter Chris Hummer of 247Sports.
Speaking of the shore, South Beach is the best spot to go this week. The quarterback the Hurricanes have on staff is ready to lead them to heights they haven’t seen in a very long time.
KEY INFORMATION YOU SHOULD KNOW AFTER THE WEEKEND
Gainesville, Florida experienced an unbearably muggy day with a high temperature of 92 degrees and a humidity level of above 70%. At one point, Joe Tessitore, the play-by-play broadcaster for ABC, joked that he had sweat through his suit.
Ward plays with an easygoing ease. It’s not like he’s carefree. He doesn’t really get bothered by anything.
That was how he performed at Incarnate Word. That’s how he’s doing in front of almost 90,000 spectators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
It was the deciding factor.
Miami, a team accustomed to making perplexing choices and shocking revelations, defeated Florida 41–17 with relative ease. Ward completed 26 of 35 passes for 385 yards and three touchdowns in his debut.
Not even an early, somewhat foolish interception could stop Ward’s run. Once again, Miami had the lead, 7-3. After five drives, the Hurricanes had a 38-10 lead.
Miami sought Ward through the transfer portal for this reason, possibly acting impulsively and with great desperation.
According to reports, he was without a doubt the Hurricanes’ top quarterback target. Though Miami dabbled in Will Howard, they took a huge gamble by committing to the Washington State trade.
He also nearly set them on fire. When Ward unexpectedly announced his candidacy for the 2024 NFL Draft on New Year’s Day, many were taken aback, including Miami. This put the Hurricanes in jeopardy as there was no taker in the portal.
The nation’s top high school player, Jeremiah Smith, of the Hurricanes, might have even suffered a setback; you can read more about that enormous what-if here.
However, Miami never gave up on bringing Ward in. Two weeks later, the Hurricanes pulled him back after pushing even more NIL chips on the table (many insiders think Ward received the largest NIL deal of the cycle).
Miami convinced Ward that their group was the finest he would have ever played with and that it would boost his draft stock (some NFL scouts had Day 3 grades on Ward). There were no lies on that roster.
One of the strongest offensive lines in the nation, Miami’s line devoured a strong Florida front, allowing just one sack.
Three receivers that play for Miami are Xavier Restrepo, Jacoby George, and Samuel Brown. In 2023, they accumulated at least 815 yards. Then, in the spring, they signed Damien Martinez, a standout rusher from Oregon State.
The Hurricanes thought Ward would be the sparkplug that turns a gifted but unpromising squad into a serious contender for the national championship.
Miami on Saturday in The Swamp looked exactly like an elite team.
Who doesn’t appreciate a quarterback who isn’t afraid to poke a rival in the eye like this, by the way? Ward exudes a certain Miami flair:
