CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Miami Hurricanes have dismissed receiver Jeff Thomas from the team Wednesday after the star missed his second straight practice.
Rumors had been swirling that Thomas had decided to leave Miami, but a school spokesperson claimed the sophomore was still on the team.
But after Wednesday's practice, head coach Mark Richt announced Thomas had been dismissed.
“We have high standards for excellence, for conduct and for the commitment to team for all of the young men who wear our uniform, and we will not waver from those standards,” Richt said. “We wish Jeff the very best as he moves forward in his journey.”
The Miami Herald reported Thomas left Tuesday's practice and did not attend team meetings afterwards. The report claims he also has a fractured relationship with members of the coaching staff.
Thomas's departure is the latest bit of bad news for a Hurricanes team that has struggled to a 6-5 record with the regular season finale coming Saturday against Pittsburgh.
A source told the Herald that Thomas, who is from East St. Louis, Ill., is interested in transferring to Illinois.
Thomas led the Hurricanes in receiving with 35 receptions for 563 yards and three touchdowns this season, but was benched for the first two series of Miami's win over Virginia Tech last Saturday for an unknown reason.