UC football loses Jaheim Thomas to transfer portal post-spring practice

Just 24 hours after the conclusion of Cincinnati Bearcats spring football, a treasured linebacker has opted for the transfer portal. Redshirt junior Jaheim Thomas out of Princeton High School made his announcement via Twitter Sunday afternoon.

"First off, I want to thank all my coaches for recruiting me to play at the University of Cincinnati. These last 3 years I have built relationships and bonds that will carry on with me for life. The University of Cincinnati has blessed me in many ways and I am grateful for that. Being able to play for my hometown was an honor and privilege that I will never forget. With that being said I will be entering the transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility left."

UC footballOne-on-one with Cincinnati Bearcats football coach Scott Satterfield heading out of spring

Thomas was injured throughout spring practice and didn't appear in Saturday's spring game wrapping up the first football work under new coach Scott Satterfield.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound redshirt junior had a breakout 2022 season with 70 tackles, ranking third on the team. He had 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks and a season-high 11 tackles against Tulane. As a redshirt freshman, he played in 12 games during UC's season that culminated in the College Football Playoff Semifinal Cotton Bowl. Thomas had 23 tackles in 2021. In 2020, as a true freshman, he played in four games then redshirted.

Reached Sunday, Thomas said he had no initial plans concerning his future college career and that leaving was difficult.

"I'm just trying to figure it out," Thomas said. "It really was tough. I grew up in Cincinnati and all. It was pretty tough I will say."

Initially a hometown hero

At Princeton High School, he was the No. 5 recruit in Ohio according to 247Sports.com playing on a Viking team that featured the top recruit in the state, Paris Johnson Jr. who will be featured in the upcoming NFL draft. The squad also had Darrion Henry who went to Ohio State with Johnson, but later transferred to Kentucky.

Thomas had 73 tackles his senior season with 6.5 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and an interception.

Thomas was the top area recruit to stay home. His brother Jiair is also a Bearcat and was on the receiving end of a touchdown in Saturday's spring festivities. Initial indications are that Jiair would stay.

"He did look pretty good, I'm proud of him," Thomas said.

Silver lining?

The upside for the Bearcats is the defense is a strong suit and the linebacking corps was pretty solid. Make no mistake, it would be demonstrably better with Thomas but the Bearcats still have Louisville transfer Dorian Jones, Utah State transfer Daniel Grzesiak, Jack Dingle and Deshawn Pace roaming around at a "star"/hybrid position causing havoc in addition to several up and comers.