Former Georgia defensive back JaCorey Thomas is taking a serious swing at getting back on the field for one more college season.
Per a report from Pete Nakos of On3, Thomas plans to file a lawsuit in hopes of gaining eligibility and entering the transfer portal. If he lands a temporary restraining order, that would open the door for him to play somewhere else.
Thomas spent his first four seasons in Athens and finished last year as a starting safety for Georgia. He recorded 45 tackles and added a sack in the SEC championship game.
The legal path Thomas is eyeing isn’t coming out of nowhere. Last week, 16 athletes were granted a temporary restraining order in Louisiana that allowed them to return for one more college season and enter the transfer portal. Former Ole Miss tight end Dae’Quan Wright was among that group and now plans to sign with LSU after appearing for the Cleveland Browns during the NFL preseason.
Georgia has also been dealing with another roster-related question involving wide receiver Cole Speer. Rusty Mansell of UGAsports.com reported that Georgia had added Speer back to the 2026 roster, but Kirby Smart stopped short of confirming that move.
“Well, there’s a lot of assumptions in what you just said,” Smart said. “So I wouldn’t make any assumptions right now with the NCAA and the rulings and the things going on.
So he is not officially back with the team. We’ve had conversations with he and a lot of guys, but nothing’s official yet.”
The broader eligibility picture is still unsettled. The original temporary restraining order issued by Colorado judge Charlotte Sweeney that gave all 2022 prospects an extra year was put on hold, which means those players are not eligible to play this season. Even so, individual lawsuits remain an option for players like Thomas who want to pursue separate temporary restraining orders against the NCAA.
Georgia golfer Carter Loflin has already taken that route, filing a suit in Clarke County against the NCAA in an effort to secure a fifth year of eligibility.
As for Georgia’s 2026 safety room, the Bulldogs like where things stand. KJ Bolden enters the season as a First Team All-American, while transfers Ja’Marley Riddle and Khalil Barnes were added to the mix. Barnes is expected to start at the star position and fill the spot Thomas held at the end of last season.
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