Love the athleticism. Can't wait to see it on the field.
Baylor Football
Off the Hoof: Freshman defensive end BJ Thompson
Baylor simply knew they wanted to sign an elite athlete when they signed four-star defensive end BJ Thompson out of England (AR) High School in 2017. They didn't know exactly where he would play, they just wanted to get him in the fold.
Two months into his time in Waco and the walking football — and basketball — highlight reel is set to play defensive end for the Bears. The only issue with the small-town Arkansas prospect was that he arrived in Waco at a weight around 205 pounds.
Before moving past this point in the article, do yourself a favor and watch at least 60 seconds of the following highlight film of one of Baylor's new defensive ends.
If you did as I asked, now you understand why the likes of Florida State and Texas offered and made a push for Thompson despite the Bears having the lead throughout.
It didn't matter that he was 6-foot-6 and only 205 pounds with the aspirations of playing on the defensive side of the ball. With those hops, worst-case scenario he would play some tight end and wide receiver.
Yes, in retrospect, it's obvious that Matt Rhule's tweet back in the winter about playing on both sides of the ball being a reality in at Baylor was directed at Thompson. He's expected to do so for the Bears throughout his career.
SicEm365 BJ Thompson is currently listed at 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds on Baylor's official roster.
But now to the question of this article: how is BJ Thompson progressing? I spent one practice taking pictures earlier during fall camp and it wasn't until a few days later that I realized I actually captured an image of Thompson. Not the best crop or most flattering picture, but it gets the job done.
My expectations were to see someone a lot thinner without as big of a frame. It could have been the shoulder pads, but with width in his hips and in the arms, he doesn't reflect a prospect that will have any issue putting on enough weight to become an elite defensive end in the Big 12.
Thompson has a ways to go to overcome four years of a multi-sport high school career, but he is well on his way to being a feared pass-rushing defensive end in the Big 12.
Two months into his time in Waco and the walking football — and basketball — highlight reel is set to play defensive end for the Bears. The only issue with the small-town Arkansas prospect was that he arrived in Waco at a weight around 205 pounds.
Before moving past this point in the article, do yourself a favor and watch at least 60 seconds of the following highlight film of one of Baylor's new defensive ends.
If you did as I asked, now you understand why the likes of Florida State and Texas offered and made a push for Thompson despite the Bears having the lead throughout.
It didn't matter that he was 6-foot-6 and only 205 pounds with the aspirations of playing on the defensive side of the ball. With those hops, worst-case scenario he would play some tight end and wide receiver.
Yes, in retrospect, it's obvious that Matt Rhule's tweet back in the winter about playing on both sides of the ball being a reality in at Baylor was directed at Thompson. He's expected to do so for the Bears throughout his career.
SicEm365 BJ Thompson is currently listed at 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds on Baylor's official roster.
But now to the question of this article: how is BJ Thompson progressing? I spent one practice taking pictures earlier during fall camp and it wasn't until a few days later that I realized I actually captured an image of Thompson. Not the best crop or most flattering picture, but it gets the job done.
My expectations were to see someone a lot thinner without as big of a frame. It could have been the shoulder pads, but with width in his hips and in the arms, he doesn't reflect a prospect that will have any issue putting on enough weight to become an elite defensive end in the Big 12.
Thompson has a ways to go to overcome four years of a multi-sport high school career, but he is well on his way to being a feared pass-rushing defensive end in the Big 12.
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