Carlos Thompson

On the Hoof: Thompson has a terrific defensive end body with long arms, big hands and a frame that is capable of adding a lot of good weight. At 6 feet 5, Thompson has strictly lean muscle mass on a body that is far from maxed out.
Needs Improvement: Thompson must get more physical at the point of attack and keep his pad level lower. He has a tendency to pop straight up at the snap and with his strength and arm length, needs to be more active in engaging blockers, rather than avoiding blocks.
Most Impressive: Off of the edge, Thompson has tremendous explosiveness and suddenness. He gets a great jump off of the snap and has great straight-line speed that allows him to pursue the ball well and make plays well downfield. That quickness combined with his length allows Thompson to be a real nightmare as a pass-rusher.
Conclusion: Still very much a work in progress, Thompson is a high-upside defender that is a few years away from contributing at a big-time program. He is a high-character kid and a coach’s son that has the frame, athleticism and work ethic to be a nationally elite college defender once he puts it all together.