The 2018 6A state championship featured two state powerhouses in Galena Park North Shore and Duncanville. The game was littered with players who will play division 1 football. For Duncanville, 2020 QB Ja’Quinden Jackson and 2020 S Chris Thompson had long been on the radar of the Texas coaching staff, but their strong performances in the state title game only helped cement them as two of the biggest targets on the recruiting board for the Longhorns. In June, Texas secured a commitment from the first part of the duo when Jackson pulled the trigger in favor of the Longhorns. Thompson wasn’t far behind, eventually pledging to Texas, becoming the 13th commit in the 2020 class.
Thompson had a relatively quiet recruitment. It was long thought Texas was in clubhouse leader from the beginning, and the sentiment was only strengthened when Jackson committed and hinted at Thompson joining him in Austin. As his decision date grew closer, Texas had to hold off a late and credible push from Auburn, but eventually secured a commitment from one of the best safeties in the state. Thompson is currently ranked as the 18th best safety in the country and the 210th best player in the country, according to the 247sports composite rankings.
Film Analysis
Player Information
Name: Chris Thompson
Position: S
High School: Duncanville
City & State: Dallas, Texas
Measurables
Height: 6’2
Weight: 195
40-yard time: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Hudl
http://www.hudl.com/video/3/8154216/59de34075b47bd0d38a334de
Three Best Traits:
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Three Areas for Improvement:
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Summary
When it comes to scheme, it may be hard to find a defensive recruit this cycle who is a better fit for what Todd Orlando wants to do. Thompson is a safety who plays with linebacker traits. He is an enforcer in the run game and consistently delivers big hits all over the field. At 195 pounds, he is likely too small to play linebacker right away, but he could be someone who transitions to a position like rover down the road. His film reminded me a lot of watching DeMarvion Overshown, who also may end up in more of a linebacker type role in the future. Orlando talks a lot about finding a way to get the best 11 defenders on the field, and Thompson brings a skill set that allows him to be a variety of different things in potentially several different roles. The biggest challenge for Thompson at the next level will be continuing to develop in defending the pass. There is little doubt in his ability as a run stuffer, but his willingness and ability to learn how to drop back in coverage will likely dictate how early he sees the field on defense.
Final Verdict
Texas was relatively quiet in 2018 and 2019 when it came to recruiting the DFW area, but the Longhorns have certainly made up for it in the 2020 and 2021 classes so far. The addition of Thompson gives the Longhorns their two Duncanville targets for the current class, but now the coaching staff will turn their attention to one of their teammates, 2021 5-star OL Savion Byrd.