Miami Hurricanes junior wide receiver Jeff Thomas led the team in receptions and receiving yards in 2018 despite being dismissed for the final two games of the season. When Manny Diaz succeeded Mark Richt as the head coach, Thomas was brought back to the Miami football program.
Diaz stated during the 2019 offseason that Thomas was being brought back with strict rules about how he would have to behave as a member of the Miami Hurricanes football program. Thomas is an exceptional talent. He reportedly would show up late to practice and had other disciplinary issues in 2018.