Ex-georgia Db Jacorey Thomas Commits To Wvu – What You Need To Know

Today we received news that JaCorey Thomas committed to WVU. He has received a temporary restraining order against the NCAA in order to get a 5th year of eligibility. I break down everything you need to know about this confusing, but much needed defensive back commit.

Who is he?

JaCorey Thomas played 4 seasons with the Georgia Bulldogs. He started 8 games for Georgia in 2025 and recorded 45 tackles and a sack. He played his high school football in Orlando, FL and was listed as a 4 star recruit by Rivals.

How did he end up here?

JaCorey Thomas declared for the 2026 NFL Draft after his senior year at Georgia. He went undrafted, but received an invitation to participate in the Carolina Panthers rookie minicamp which took place on May 8 – 9 2026. He did not receive a roster spot after the rookie minicamp and has been an unsigned free agent since then. When a court ruled that 2022 college signees would qualify for a fifth year of eligibility, he declared that he would be entering the college transfer portal.

What’s the difference between this and what Lane Kiffin is doing?

Let me start this out by saying that JaCorey Thomas did declare for the NFL Draft, did not withdraw his name, and spent time in an NFL Rookie minicamp. Full stop. With that said, there are differences in how he has spent his time since last season compared to Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris, who are returning from the NFL to LSU for Lane Kiffin. Both Wright and Harris were signed as undrafted free agents, took part in a full NFL training camp, and were even on preseason rosters for NFL teams before being waived. This means that both Wright and Harris would have had NFL contracts, whereas JaCorey Thomas would have only received a per diem and travel expenses paid withouta contract for attending a Rookie minicamp. JaCorey’s situation is actually more similar to that of Tommy Castellanos, the quarterback that just committed to Texas Tech after participating in the Miami Dolphins Rookie minicamp.

Is he actually going to play?

Did you watch the Coastal Carolina game? We will take all the help we can get in the secondary and I would have to think that Zac Alley would love to have a former starter at Georgia in his toolbox. The question is will we risk it given that the Big 12 has put out statements expressly forbidding teams from signing former NFL players? Well Texas Tech hasn’t let that stop them. Tommy Castellanos dressed and actually saw playing time for them in their week 1 game. The way I see it is that a precedent has been set, the courts have cleared it, and this the reality of the 2026 football season. The honest truth is that if JaCorey Thomas had known that he was going to get a 5th year of eligibility he may not have entered the NFL draft. I just hope that this is a one year issue and that all of this gets straightened out for next season. Until then, I’m glad we are playing the hand we are dealt, and I welcome JaCorey into the Mountaineer family!