Bryce Thompson 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Position: Cornerback
Height: 5’10 2/5″
Weight: 182 lbs
School: University of Tennessee
Pro Day Stats
Hand: 9.25
Arm: 30.75
Wingspan: N/A
40-Yard Dash: 4.56
20-Yard Dash: 2.67
10-Yard Dash: 1.53
225 Lb. Bench Reps: Nine
Vertical Jump: 34
Broad Jump: 10’00
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.25
3-Cone Drill: 7.19
Bryce Thompson 2021 NFL Draft Profile
Overview
Born in Irmo, South Carolina, Thompson attended Ben Lippen High School before transferring to Dutch Fork High School where he had 3,817 total yards with 62 touchdowns in two years. Thompson led his team at Ben Lippen to the South Carolina Class 3A State Title. He also helped lead his team to the Class 5A State Title in his senior year. Thompson was given All-Decade Midlands Team honors by The State newspaper. As a running back, he received 2017 All-USA South Carolina First Team honors. Thompson received a Class 5A All-State Team selection and received Most Outstanding Player honors for his play in the South Carolina Shrine Bowl with seven receptions of 165 yards with one touchdown. He committed to the University of Tennessee.
In his freshman year, Thompson completed 24 solo and 10 assisted tackles with one sack, one forced fumble, three interceptions, and seven pass breakups. He also had four kickoff returns of 100 yards. The following season, Thompson had 22 solo and 10 tackles with one sack, three interceptions, and two pass breakups. During his senior year, he completed 27 solo and nine assisted tackles with one forced fumble, two interceptions, and two pass breakups.
In his freshman year, Thompson received PFF College Midseason Second Team, 2018 SEC All-Freshman Team, and FWAA Freshman All-American honors. He was also SEC Freshman of the week. In his junior year, Thompson was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week. The following season he was named Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Thompson received an invite to the 2021 NFL Combine.
Strengths
- Caught eight interceptions in a 32 game span – has very capable hands and length
- Has the speed and instinctual awareness to defend the run
- Plays bigger than his size with toughness
- Faced high levels of competition – defended passes against Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith
- Has potential that may not have been reached yet
Weaknesses
- Tackling form and ability is an issue
- Can be easily faked out and become off-balance
- Average athleticism for his position – tested low on the pro day with a score of 4.86
- Injuries prevented him from declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft
- Can be over-aggressive downfield
Player Comparison: Justin Coleman
Teams With Need At Position: Buffalo Bills, Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints, Detroit Lions
Draft Projection: Sixth Round
Bottom Line on Bryce Thompson
Thompson is a very intriguing prospect. He has high-level abilities, but the fact that his testing ratings were average to poor will hurt his stock. His size and frame will also be of concern, even though he shows high competitiveness and is not afraid to play bigger than he is. Blocking touchdown passes for Smith and Waddle is a huge feather in his cap. Thompson may move up a round, depending on the evaluation of his untapped potential.
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