OLE MISS SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: DE CARLOS THOMPSON
Fifth year senior Carlos Thompson has NFL size at 6-5, 243 pounds and NFL speed as he is one of the best pass rushers on the team. It has been hard to keep him on the field however and now Thompson enters 2014 with one last shot to prove he can play at the next level.
WHERE’S HE FROM?
Thompson is a Mississippi boy from Hollandale, MS and was a US Army and SuperPrep All-American in 2009 at Hollandale-Simmons high school. He was named to the Clarion-Ledger’s Dandy Dozen and rated at No. 2 on its top 10 most wanted list.
He was ranked the number four player in the state and the ninth best defensive end in the nation by Rivals.com.
He was coached by his father Carlos Thompson Sr.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Carlos has had an up and down career to this point at Ole Miss. From highly recruited prep player to being benched and redshirted as a sophomore to battling through injuries last year.
- 11/16/10 – 1st sack against Louisiana Lafayette
- 8/29/13 – 4 tackles and ½ sack against Vanderbilt
- 9/28/13 – Two solo tackles at Alabama
2014 EXPECTATIONS
Thompson emerged as one of the best pass rushers on the team last year opposite C.J. Johnson and when they are both on the field, this Ole Miss defense is a completely different unit.
I dare to say Carlos is one of the most important players returning in this 2014 class and if he improves and can stay healthy there won’t be many goals this defense can’t reach.
Thompson’s career and development as a player suffered mightily with the failures of the team and coaching staff under Houston Nutt. Coach Freeze gave Carlos a redshirt year in 2012 to allow him to re-boot and get stronger and more mature.
2013 has been his best year as a Rebel but he suffered neck and shoulder strains and missed the last eight games.
After two years with Chris Kiffin and the new staff, Thompson knows what he needs to do. If he can stay focused and healthy, you may see this Rebel team become a terror for opposing quarterbacks.
Scout