Shaq Thompson (Athlon Consensus #6)

The Analysis

PROS: Thompson is a versatile player who has excelled in high school on both sides of the ball. He was a starter at both safety and running back – rushing for nearly 2,000 yards as a junior. He has the speed, agility and raw athletic ability to play at the corner spot, but has the length, size and strength that could easily push him to safety. He is a very active player who is constantly in the right position making plays. He can cover lots of ground in a short amount of time and shows quick burst out of his cuts to close on the football. His offensive skills make him comfortable attacking the football when it’s in the air. He is an effective tackler who has no problem filling against the run around the line of scrimmage. His range, closing speed, instincts and tackling skill all point to the safety position.

CONS: Should he play cornerback, he will need to work on his press coverage skills, as currently he can simply out-athlete most of his marks. Refining the subtleties of the man-to-man process will be imperative against NCAA receivers. Should he play safety, what appears to be his more natural position, he will need to add some bulk and strength.

BIO: Two-year starter at safety and at running back. Will play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. First-team all-state underclass pick in 2010. Younger brother of former Cal Bear All-American cornerback Syd’Quan Thompson who was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 2010 NFL Draft. Earned state player of the year recognition in 2010.