Miami's Jakobe Thomas Pays Tribute To Hurricanes Legend

Jakobe Thomas hits a "dirty bird" in honor of Ray Lewis after a monster sack against DJ Lagway and the Florida Gators.

Sep 20, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Jakobe Thomas (8) celebrates after sacking Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (not pictured) during the second quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

No. 2 Miami is playing out of its mind, and for the first time in a long time, they win a game on the defensive side of the ball.

Could it be that the Hurricanes have the best defense in the country? Maybe, but they also have some stars in the secondary that were playing lights out against the Florida Gators.

Tennessee Transfer Jakobe Thomas has been one of the best and most consistent players for the Canes since setting foot in Coral Gables. Against the Gators, he was arguably the best player in the game and capped off a five-tackle, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack game in the only way a Cane knows how, with a little "dirty bird".

Jakobe Thomas does the Ray Lewis Dance!! pic.twitter.com/xkYvbSW9ux

— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) September 21, 2025

Ray Lewis is one of the best Miami Hurricanes to ever play at the collegiate and professional level, and it was only right after a monster sack that Thomas would be poised to dance. It showcases the swagger that the team has on defense and also highlights the talent being displayed in Miami.

Jakobe Thomas vs Florida:

🙌🏻5 Tackles
🙌🏻 1.5 TFL
🙌🏻1 Sack

One of the best evals in the portal by the Canes staff continues to produce at a high level for Miami🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/BcPAq0yJG8

— Rollo (@SportsRollo) September 21, 2025

Where do the Miami Hurricanes Rank Ahead of Bye Week?

AP Top 25

(Ranking, team, first-place votes)

1. Ohio State (52)
2. Miami (7)
3. Penn State (5)
4. LSU
5. Georgia
6. Oregon (1)
7. Oklahoma (1)
8. Florida State
9. Texas A&M
10. Texas
11. Indiana
12. Texas Tech
13. Ole Miss
14. Iowa State
15. Tennessee
16. Georgia Tech
17. Alabama
18. Vanderbilt
19. Michigan
20. Missouri
21. USC
22. Notre Dame
23. Illinois
24. TCU
25. BYU

Others receiving votes: Auburn 122; Mississippi State 102; South Florida 77; Utah 45; Arizona State 30; Memphis 23; Louisville 23; Maryland 6; UNLV 3; UCF 3; North Texas 2.

Coaches Poll

(Ranking, team, first-place votes)

1. Ohio State (61)
2. Penn State (3)
3. Georgia (1)
4. LSU
5. Oregon (1)
6. Miami (1)
7. Texas
8. Florida State
9. Texas A&M 
10. Oklahoma
11. Ole Miss
12. Indiana 
13. Iowa State
14. Texas Tech 
15. Tennessee 
16. Alabama
17. Georgia Tech
18. Michigan
19. Missouri
20. Vanderbilt
21. Notre Dame
22. USC
23. Illinois
24. BYU
25. TCU

Others receiving votes: Arizona State 104; Utah 99; Louisville 67; Mississippi State 57; Memphis 55; Auburn 48; South Florida 32; Washington 19; Navy 17; Maryland 10; Kansas 6; Syracuse 4; Houston 4; UNLV 3; Tulane 3; Nebraska 3; North Texas 2; Iowa 1.

Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University and is the site lead for the Miami Hurricanes on SI. He can be reached at Twitter @Justice_News5.

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