Thompson to Texas

NACOGDOCHES — Josh Thompson always wanted to be a Longhorn.

Today, it became a reality.

The 6-foot-0, 180-pound defensive back from East Texas committed to Texas today, three days after being offered at UT’s Under the Lights camp on July 23rd.

Thompson, of Nacogdoches, was committed to TCU before he flipped to the Horns. He’s the high school teammate and close friend of UT freshman safety, Brandon Jones.

Thompson ran a 4.48 40 and 36-inch vertical leap at the ETSN combine in May while garnering Defensive MVP honors. He saw his stock skyrocket and was invited to The Opening in Oregon. He holds 24 offers including TCU, Colorado State, Fresno State, Houston, Indiana, Kansas, Kansas State, Louisiana Tech, Minnesota, Missouri, North Texas, Ohio, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas State, Texas Tech, Tulane, ULM, Utah, UTSA, Washington State, and Wyoming.

Thompson tallied nine pass breakups, intercepted a pass and recorded 33 tackles through the Dragons’ 10 games last season. He also caught 10 passes for 152 yards at WR. Texas likes Thompson at the corner and nickel positions.

Excerpt from the Recruiting Notebook:

Josh Thompson, CB – Nacogdoches (2017)

Hudl/highlights

How he fits at Texas: Thompson is a fighter in addition to being a great athlete, he’s exactly the kind of cornerback that Strong and Bedford love because he’s never out of a play and gets involved against the run game. He’s definitely fast enough (4.48 40 and 4.38 shuttle) to hang outside at corner but what you find repeatedly on film is the kid using his initial burst (36 vertical) and length (6-foot-0) to close on the ball and break up passes when it initially appeared that there was an open passing window. He reminds me of OU’s Zach Sanchez crossed with K-State’s Danzel McDaniel with his sticky fingers and sharp breaks combined with savage instincts. – IB

Coach says: Here’s a kid that was a late addition to The Opening in Oregon to replace fellow Texan Kobe Boyce due to an injury, and he still ends up holding his own against some of the elite players in the country. There must be something in the water down there in Nacogdoches, because this is the third year in a row they have produced a sure fire FBS defensive back. Thompson saw his stock soar this spring and deservingly so. At 6-foot-0, 180 pounds he has consistently been running in the 4.5 range, he shows a willingness to compete for the ball in the air, he is going to get physical with you when he presses you up at the line, and he isn’t passive when it comes to lay a lick on ball carriers. With the way some things have played out at the position, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Texas decides to move him at some point.

How this affects Texas: Texas went CB heavy in 2015 – Hill, Davis, and Boyd – and nabbed one in 2016 with Eric Cuffee. Texas’ top DBs are down in 2017 but there are still some talented cats manning the secondary across the state. I look for UT to snag 2-3 corners in this class, then as many as 3-4 in 2018, when the Lone Star State is packed with corner prospects. With targets, Kary Vincent and Chevin Calloway looking elsewhere at the moment, and Lake Dallas’ Kobe Boyce in the fold, for now, Texas wants at least one more, maybe two. Enter TCU pledge Josh Thompson. After showing he belonging at The Opening in Oregon, and looking better at UTL in Austin on July 23rd, Texas is more than convinced he belongs on the 40 Acres. The former teammate and close friend of Nac’s 5-star and Texas safety Brandon Jones in the ATX, I’d say he’s on Offer Watch and a flip wouldn’t surprise me at all. – JW

Thompson is the 7th member of UT’s Class of 2017. He joins Montrell Estell (Hooks), Xavier Newman (Desoto), Kobe Boyce (Lake Dallas), Lagaryonn Carson (Liberty-Eylau), Damion Miller (John Tyler), Sam Ehlinger (Austin Westlake).