Anterio Thompson said that he entered Washington’s Pro Day showcase with tangible goals in terms of his measurables. On Monday, Thompson put up testing numbers that exceeded those goals and earned him increased traction at the next level. The defensive tackle played college football at four different programs, taking pieces of expertise from each school en route to his showcase inside the Dempsey Indoor facility.
Anterio Thompson Pro Day
Individual Testing Numbers
One of those tangible goals for Thompson was to reach 30 or more reps on the bench press. The 6’-4” and 306-pound defensive tackle began the day on the bench press and put up an impressive 30 reps of 225 pounds. “I felt like I definitely did better in some aspects than I expected. Especially when it comes to bench, getting 30 reps,” Thompson said afterwards. “It was kind of like I lost count as I was doing the reps. So when I got up, and they said 30, I was actually surprised.” After the bench press, the defensive tackle jumped 29.5” in the vertical jump. He then headed to the other side of the field for the 40-yard dash.
“I wanted to run a 4.7 40,” Thompson said after the event. “I don’t know the exact number or what’s been out, I heard a little bit of jazz of 4.7 or 4.6’s. But that’s one of the numbers I was really trying to go for, a 4.7.” Thompson ran the sprint twice. Unofficially, he was clocked at a 4.73-second dash. Again, the former Husky defensive tackle had met one of his Pro Day goals.
Thompson was not invited to the NFL Combine earlier this month. That’s despite the way he played all season for the Husky defensive line. He said he had a bit of a chip on his shoulder after receiving the news that he wasn’t going to Indianapolis. But Thompson’s response to that was clear: “Man, you just gotta attack the Pro Day.” And he did just that with the testing numbers he put on display in front of NFL Scouts.
Thompson’s Journey to the Next Level
It wasn’t a typical path through college football for Thompson. It started at Iowa Western Community College in 2022. He then transferred to Iowa the following year, primarily playing special teams, where he blocked two punts. Thompson spent the 2024 season as a starter at Western Michigan before playing his final year of eligibility at Washington as a Power Four starter.
“I’d say I just learned things from every university I’ve been to,” Thompson said after Pro Day. “Coming from Iowa, just learning about the weight room, lifting, and just waiting your turn and stuff like that.” The defensive tackle discussed how each school offered him a different component of his skill set that he has ultimately used to form himself into a prospect for the NFL.
But he didn’t necessarily want his college career to end after 2025. “I would definitely say I definitely got a lot more to improve on. I really felt like I wanted to get an extra year to fine-tune some techniques and tools.” Thompson said that he had a waiver in the process to appeal to the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility. But based on how things were trending nationally regarding eligibility waivers, he and his advisors ultimately decided another year wouldn’t be a possibility.
Defensive Tackle Skill Set
Despite knowing he has things he needs to improve on, Thompson made a strong case for himself at Pro Day. His testing numbers comprise one component of his resume. The other is his quality of play on the field. Quickness is one of the characteristics he’s talked about in the past and one he’s also shown in live reps. After Pro Day, Thompson spoke to that and how it can help him translate his game to Sundays.
“Just beating guys to their step [and] having that quick first step,” Thompson said. “Being able to have that sideline-to-sideline speed. If a QB throws a jet screen, being able to run over there, being able to react and put your foot in the ground and get there.”
Thompson said that he’s being looked at as an interior and outside defensive lineman by various NFL organizations. “I’m willing to do that,” Thompson explained. “I’d say for me, I played inside so I’ve been more of an inside guy. But I’m just willing to do whatever it is, whatever change it is to make it.”
In 2025, Thompson finished with 30 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a pair of pass deflections. He played over 800 snaps along the defensive line over the last two seasons as a primary starter at Washington and Western Michigan. That, combined with his performance in front of NFL Scouts at Pro Day, Thompson has certainly made a case for himself at the next level.
Main Image: Courtesy Sports Illustrated
