Ian Thomas

Former Rutgers cornerback Ian Thomas has transferred to Western Michigan.

(Tony Kurdzuk/The Star-Ledger)

UPDATE: Ian Thomas admits mistakes, goes in-depth on experience at Rutgers

PISCATAWAY -- Cornerback Ian Thomas tried to return to Rutgers a third time, but coach Kyle Flood declined, according to a source close to the program.

Thomas, who quit the Rutgers team twice in an eight-month span, has instead landed at Western Michigan, a MAC program coached by former Rutgers assistant P.J. Fleck. Thomas confirmed to NJ.com that he tried to return a third time.

The source said Flood had the same response when cornerback Bryant Gross-Armiento, who left the team in April, asked to return to Rutgers. Gross-Armiento landed at Wake Forest last week, reuniting with former Rutgers defensive coordinator Dave Cohen, who is now the Demon Deacons defensive line coach. Gross-Armiento confirmed to NJ.com that he had considered a return to Rutgers.

Thomas had a truly bizarre career at Rutgers.

A three-star wide receiver recruit from Baltimore, Thomas redshirted in 2012. The athletic 6-foot-1, 200-pounder was moved to cornerback in the spring of 2013 and earned a starting role for the first three games of last season.

Thomas abruptly left the team October, leading to a public debate about the reason for the departure. Flood announced that Thomas was leaving the team to play baseball. A month later, Thomas told NJ.com that he quit the team because he was homesick.

After that controversy passed, Flood unexpectedly reinstated Thomas in January. Thomas quickly reclaimed his spot atop the depth chart during spring practice, although he admitted that the reception from teammates had been mixed.

The final unexpected twist in Thomas' career came when he didn't return to Rutgers for summer conditioning. That ended his career at Rutgers, and Thomas had been off the radar until Tuesday's report of his transfer to Western Michigan.

Fleck, who served as Rutgers' wide receivers coach from 2010-11, recruited Thomas out of high school.

Thomas will sit out this season and then have two years of eligibility remaining.

Dan Duggan may be reached at dduggan@nj.com. Follow him on Twitter @DDuggan21. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.