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Illinois Football: Illini might be getting second shot at Jeff Thomas

By Rees Woodcock

CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 26: Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Jeff Thomas (4) carries the ball during a game between the Boston College Eagles and the Miami Hurricanes on October 26, 2018, at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MA - OCTOBER 26: Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Jeff Thomas (4) carries the ball during a game between the Boston College Eagles and the Miami Hurricanes on October 26, 2018, at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The Illinois football team has missed out on some big-time recruits over the last few years, but they could be getting a second chance with one of those players.

On Wednesday night, Jeff Thomas announced on Twitter that he has left the University of Miami (FL) program. In the announcement, he mentions that him and the head coach, Mark Richt, had a conversation and came to an agreement that he is leaving the program to better his future and family life.

Thomas was one of the most highly rated recruits coming out of high school. He was a four-star recruit who was the No. 40 player in the class of 2017 and the No. 5 wide receiver in the nation. He was also the No. 2 player in the state of Illinois.

The recruitment of Thomas came down to a few programs. The two main programs who were right there for Thomas the entire time was Illinois and Miami. The Hurricanes ended up landing the talented wide receiver for 2017.

As a true freshman for Miami, Thomas was mainly a wide receiver. He caught 17 passes for 374 yards and two touchdowns. This was a pretty good year, and he increased his production this season as well. Through 11 games this year, Thomas had 35 receptions for 563 yards and three touchdowns. He was also turning into a dynamic returner and actually found this end zone once.

But, now Thomas is done with Miami and is looking for a new home. Could Illinois be a landing spot? According to Susan Miller Degnan and Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Champaign could be the destination for Thomas.

"The source said Thomas has spoken about the possibility of transferring to Illinois."

If you are an Illini fan, this is exciting news. Of course, Thomas would have to sit out a year due to NCAA transfer rules, but Illinois needs more playmakers who can catch the ball. Thomas is able to provide that for the Illini.

Thomas would pair nicely with the incoming class of 2019 when he becomes eligible. Could you just imagine Marquez Beason on one side of Isaiah Williams and Thomas on the other? That would be one of the best offenses in the Big Ten.

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I am not going to get my hopes up that Thomas ends up at Illinois. It is exciting to think about, but I am going to wait to see how this plays out. Hopefully, the Illini can land Thomas the second time around.

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