Virginia Cavaliers Corey Thomas Jr.
Corey Thomas Jr. has created some buzz in Virginia football practice this spring. ~ Photo courtesy of Jim Daves/Virginia Athletics Media Relations

Virginia defensive backs coach Curome Cox was an All-ACC safety at Maryland and played three seasons in the NFL, but even he is enviable of his new safety Corey Thomas Jr.

“Well I wish I was him, I’ll tell you that much, when I was back in college,” Cox said.

The former Akron hybrid linebacker and safety might be one of the most intriguing players in spring practice for the Cavaliers. With the Zips, Thomas started at linebacker, but also played field safety, while accumulating 105 career tackles, 6 pass breakups, 3 fumble recoveries, an interception and a sack in 40 career games.

Early this spring at Virginia, Thomas has shown the same knack for making plays as one of the first team safeties. The grad transfer has even reminded his new head coach of a former Clemson standout.

“If I have to make a comparison, I’m going to compare him to an Isaiah Simmons that I was around,” Tony Elliott said. “He’s not quite as fast as Isaiah, but he’s got that big, long body that’s very versatile.”

A lofty comparison as Simmons was a Butkus Award winner and an unanimous All-American for the Tigers after transitioning from safety to a hybrid linebacker role. He piled up 192 tackles in 2018 and 2019 in that spot to go along with 8.5 sacks and 4 interceptions. But Elliott says the shared traits are there between Simmons and Thomas starting with their size and instincts. Thomas checks in at 6’4” and 215 pounds, while Clemson listed Simmons at 6’4” and 230 pounds.

“I’ve seen him make a lot of plays so far, which is good,” Elliott continued to say about Thomas. “I think we anticipated that looking at his film from where he came from.”

A brief glimpse on social media jogged to mind a different former All-American and UVA’s all-time leader in tackles in Quin Blanding for former teammate Micah Kiser and even Blanding himself. Like Blanding, Thomas sports the same No. 3 and both are listed at similar sizes. Blanding, who finished his Cavalier career with 495 tackles, was at 6’4” and 215 pounds on the UVA roster as a senior.

If his one year in Charlottesville comes anywhere close to the production Simmons or Blanding had in their college careers, Virginia really would have the gem they believe they have in Thomas. It would also mean mission accomplished for the Pittsburgh native, who came to UVA to prove himself and reach the NFL.

“I wanted the chance to get to play at the Power 5 level, I felt like it was something I could do,” Thomas said. “I just wanted the chance to better myself as a person and as a player and I felt like UVA checked those boxes for me.”

From the minute Thomas entered the transfer portal, he was a priority recruit for the Virginia coaching staff. The Akron transfer described UVA defensive coordinator John Rudzinski and Cox as coming “extremely hard” to land Thomas. The commitment shown by the Cavalier coaching staff and also the system made the choice easy for when the time came for a decision.

Thomas picked Virginia over a few ACC offers among others.

“Just talking on the phone with Coach Rud and Coach Cox, just them mentioning the three safety system was definitely something that stuck out,” Thomas said.

In spring practice, Thomas has been one of the three starting safeties for the Cavaliers along with All-ACC performer Jonas Sanker and veteran Antonio Clary, who is returning from a season-ending injury last fall. Thomas said Rudzinski is starting the versatile defender at field safety, but he could also see time at strong safety and in the slot.

The subtle excitement around the UVA coaches when it comes to Thomas mirrors a similar vibe seen last spring and fall around record-setting receiver Malik Washington, hinting at another transfer portal win for Elliott and the Cavaliers.

“Just in all his feedback from all of his coaches I knew there at his prior place was he just wants to be so good and every day he just wants to be better,” Cox said. “And I can work with a kid like that. It’s shown off early on, just playing fast, playing hard and he’s kind of just making plays and that’s what it’s all about. Production, finish on the ball.”

Along with the opportunity to improve his NFL Draft stock, Thomas feels all the ingredients are in the basket for an improved Virginia team this fall with sights set on a bowl game.

“Extremely close, they’re right there,” Thomas said. “That’s all we talk about going through workouts, just knowing it’s the little things, the accountability, the details. And I know we’re right there and I know it’s right around the corner.”