SaRodorick

Thompson Jr.

The team ultimately kept four running backs and six wide receivers on the final 53, including DeeJay Dallas, Kenny McIntosh, Jake Bobo, and Dareke Young. Bobo remains an intriguing depth piece after an electric preseason, particularly considering rookie Jaxon Smith-Njigba is likely to miss the start of the regular season. Also released or waived were QB Holton Ahlers, RB Wayne Taulapapa, WR Cade Johnson, WR Easop Winston Jr, WR Matt Landers, WR Tyjon Lindsey, WR Malik Flowers, WR Justin Marshall, TE Tyler Mabry, TE Griffin Hebert, TE Sal Cannella, OL Joey Hunt, OL Greg Eiland, OL Jalen McKenzie, OL Liam Ryan, OL Kendall Randolph, DT Robert Perry II, DT Jacob Sykes, DT Matt Gotel, OLB Jordan Ferguson, OLB Levi Bell, LB Ben Burr-Kirven, LB Patrick O’Connell, LB Christian Young, CB Chris Steele, CB Benjie Franklin, CB Arquon Bush, CB Lance Boykin and S Ty Okada. Waived with an injury settlement were S Joey Blount, S Jonathan Sutherland and LB Vi Jones.

Thompson’s (6’0/207) time at Texas Tech features years of consistent production. However, he never reached an elite peak, with his best season coming in 2019 when he rushed for 159-763-12 as a sophomore. A below-average athlete who lacks top-end speed, burst, and agility, Thompson’s average stats line up perfectly with the workout numbers he posted at the combine. Thompson forced a missed tackle on 20.1 percent of his rush attempts during his career and displayed some upside on third downs, totaling 89 receptions for 512 yards and one touchdown in his career. Still, he may struggle to crack an NFL roster without a single trait that makes him stand out.

Thompson (6'0"/215) and fellow RB Tahj Brooks helped Texas Tech control the game, continually chunking an overmatched Bulldogs defense again and again. Thompson isn’t a yardage monster, but what he does is score the football and he came through again, punching it in from 1-yard away. He’s up to 33 touchdowns in his Texas Tech career, and should easily enter the top-3 in Red Raider history next season.

He also had a 21-yard reception. The Red Raiders struggled to throw today, bogging down the offense. For his part, Thompson is up to eight touchdown runs on the season.

Thompson (6'0"/215) got a break with Texas Tech putting the game away early. He was still the leading rusher and showed the same power he’s had all year, and even displayed some nice agility on a few runs. He didn’t get into the end zone this time, although four other Red Raiders did on the ground. Colombi had a keeper, Ezukanma and Price scored on end arounds and backup QB Donovan Smith had a keeper as well. Thompson will probably be back to his normal scoring self with a full workload next week against Kansas State.

Thompson (6'0"/215) was brilliant in this game, but with Texas Tech falling behind so quickly there was only so much he could do. He provided his normal role as a hammer, punching in three short scores, and also showed off some speed with some huge plays, including a 75 yard screen that set up Xavier White’s touchdown. Thompson has been a touchdown machine in his past two games, and this time added some efficiency. The 35-10 hole that Texas Tech found themselves at half was just too much to overcome, especially with Texas Tech’s defense getting absolutely run over. Thompson gets Kansas next week.

Thompson (6'0"/215) was the hammer that kept the chains moving and got the ball in the end zone. He barreled his way in from one yard out twice to score the Raider’s only touchdown’s of the game. It wasn’t flashy, but that doesn’t mean it was any less critical to the win. The second touchdown in particular was a herculean effort. Thompson was stopped well short but kept churning his legs and eventually forced the pile forward and in. Thompson sealed the win after Kaylon Geiger’s big catch with his two biggest runs of the day that allowed the Raiders to kill clock and kick an easy field goal to take the lead with 22 seconds left. Thompson will need to continue punching in short scores next week against TCU.

Thompson (6'0/215), has led the Red Raiders in each of the last two seasons, and has 1,480 career rushing yards to his name. However, offseason should surgery has kept the junior running back sidelined through Texas Tech’s first two games of the season, which has opened the door for sophomore Tahj Brooks. If Thompson is unable to go this week against Florida International, Brooks will likely see the majority of the rushes again. Brooks has a rushing line of 27/247/4 through the first two weeks.

Thompson (6'0/215), who has been dealing with this shoulder issue since the summer, is expected to sit for the second consecutive game. Last season he started all ten games for the Red Raiders, rushing for 610 yards and eight touchdowns with an average of 5.6 yards per carry. With Thompson likely to sit, it will once again be “The Tahj Brooks Show.” On 15 carries in last week’s win over Houston, Brooks rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns.

Thompson (6'0/210) recently had to undergo surgery after suffering a right shoulder injury earlier in the summer. Texas Tech coach didn’t have a significant update on Thompson’s status Tuesday, only saying that things were trending in the right direction with his recovery and that he’ll be a game-time decision. Thompson rushed for 610 yards and eight scores on 109 carries, also recording 21 receptions for 124 yards over 10 games last season. Xavier White is expected to be his replacement if he’s not ready to go in time to face Houston.