**

MYKKELE THOMPSON**

Free Safety

Height – 6-0

Weight – 200

College – Texas

High School - Stevens (San Antonio)

OVERVIEW

The four-year defensive back played in 52 games with 31 starts, excelling earlier in his career on special teams, blocking two punts and a field goal during his first two seasons while delivering nine tackles for the coverage unit. On defense, he lined up at free safety and slot cornerback, collecting 213 tackles with seven stops for losses, in addition to picking off two passes.

As a freshman, Thompson appeared in 13 games, as he led the team with eight special teams tackles. He also helped Texas lead the Big Twelve Conference and rank sixth in the nation in rushing defense (96.23 ypg) and 11th in total defense (306.08 ypg).

In 2012, Thompson  was the starting free safety for six contests (West Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Iowa State, TCU, Oregon State), as he tied for first in the Big Twelve with two blocked punts. He finished tied for sixth on the team in tackles (59) and had three double-digit tackle games which was tied for second on the team with Kenny Vaccaro. He then

Started all by the Ole Miss game at safety in 2013, producing a career-high 72 tackles (39 solos), which again saw him ranked sixth on the team in that category.

Thompson's senior season saw him start every game, as he shuttled between free safety and slot cornerback. He was in on 69 tackles, including 48 solo stops, delivering four stops behind the line of scrimmage. He recorded his second career interception and broke up two other throws.

SCOUTING ANALYSIS

Thompson has a lean, angular frame with tapered thighs and calves. He is smooth in his backpedal, demonstrating good body control and balance, along with quick read-and- diagnosis ability. He makes proper adjustments on the move to close on the ball and gets good depth in his pass drops playing in the zone, doing a nice job of keeping the plays in front of him.

Thompson likes to get physical with the receivers in attempts to reroute. He times his leaps well to serve as an efficient kick blocker, but does not have the natural hands to catch and reach for the pigskin away from the frame. He does a nice job of playing off blocks in run support and while he lacks the explosive closing burst, he does take good angles to the ball. He also shows the fluid hips and change of direction agility to flow from sideline-to-sideline.

Still, Thompson is not a strong wrap-up tackler. He makes plays vs. the run along the perimeter, but will get washed out on the play when trying to plug the gaps. He is much better tackler along the perimeter, and shows good aggression filling the rush lanes, but gets bounced out of the hole quickly due to a poor anchor.

Thompson is best when allowed to roam the field. He takes good angles in pursuit and manages to keep most plays in front of him when operating in the zone. He can contribute in sub packages as a slot corner, as he looks smooth coming out of his backpedal. He has enough acceleration to get a clean break and has the second gear to recover.

Thompson is very instinctive and alert. Even though he does not have that explosive closing burst you want in a free safety, he will collide with the receiver and try to strip the ball from his opponent. He is not the type that will get turned operating vs. the quicker slot receivers, but while he will take on the smaller blockers, he does not have the power to stack and control.

CAREER NOTES

Thompson started 31-of-52 games, as he registered 213 tackles (125 solos) with an assisted sack and seven stops for losses of 14 yards, adding nine tackles with three blocked kicks on special teams….Intercepted two passes and deflected three others.

2014 SEASON

Started all 13 games at either safety or nickel cornerback ... ranked seventh on the team in tackles (69) ... averaged 7.0 tackles per game over the last seven games ... a preseason third-team All-Big 12 choice by Phil Steele ... recorded three tackles, including half a sack, and one pass breakup vs. North Texas ... had six stops vs. BYU ... had five tackles against UCLA ... had one tackle against Kansas ... served as a game captain against Kansas ... made four tackles (all solo) against Baylor ... had one tackle against Oklahoma ... made a season-best 11 tackles, including one for a loss, and one pass breakup against Iowa State ... made a team-leading nine tackles, including one TFL, against Kansas State ... recorded five tackles and his second career interception in the Texas Tech game ... had seven stops against West Virginia ... tied for the team lead in tackles (8) against Oklahoma State ... made five stops, including one for a loss, against TCU ... had four tackles and a forced fumble against Arkansas in the Texas Bowl.

2013 SEASON

Played in all 13 games at free safety, including 12 starts (did not start vs. Ole Miss) ... ranked sixth on the team in tackles (72) ... posted seven stops against New Mexico State ... had a season-high eight tackles and one QB pressure vs. BYU ... registered two tackles against Ole Miss ... posted seven tackles (four solo) with one for a loss against Kansas State ... notched seven tackles, including 0.5 for a loss and 0.5 sack, vs. Iowa State ... had five stops in the win against Oklahoma ... posted four tackles vs. TCU ... registered six tackles (three solo) in the win against Kansas ... had seven stops and an interception vs. Oklahoma State ... had four tackles against Texas Tech ... posted seven stops vs. Baylor ... matched a season high with eight tackles against Oregon in the Alamo Bowl.

2012 SEASON

Saw action in all 13 games at safety and on special teams ... started six games (West Virginia, Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Iowa State, TCU, Oregon State) ... tied for first in the Big 12 with two blocked punts ... finished tied for sixth on the team in tackles (59) ... had three double-digit tackle games which was tied for second on the team with Kenny Vaccaro ... recorded his first-career forced fumble against New Mexico ... blocked a punt vs. New Mexico which set up a touchdown ... named the special teams game MVP by the coaching staff... recorded one tackle and one blocked punt against Ole Miss ... registered six tackles (four solo) against Oklahoma State ... saw his most extensive action of the season on defense vs. West Virginia and posted 10 tackles (seven solo) and one pass breakup ... recorded first start against the Mountaineers ... had career-high 12 tackles vs. Oklahoma ... posted five tackles and his first career fumble recovery against Baylor ... registered five stops against Texas Tech ... one of three safeties to start vs. TCU and had three stops ... matched a career high with 12 tackles, including one tackle for a loss, in the Alamo Bowl vs. Oregon State.

2011 SEASON

Appeared in all 13 games … led the team with eight special teams tackles … helped Texas lead the Big 12 and rank sixth in the nation in rushing defense (96.23 ypg) and 11th in total defense (306.08) … also ranked 10th in pass efficiency defense (111.0) … blocked a punt that was later returned for a touchdown by Josh Turner at Iowa State … tallied four tackles against Texas Tech … posted two tackles against BYU, Iowa State and Kansas … had one tackle against Rice, UCLA, Missouri and Texas A&M … helped lead the defense to a shutout performance against Kansas, allowing only 46 yards of total offense and minus-2 rushing yards.

HIGH SCHOOL

Coached by Lee Bridges at Stevens High School … all-state, two-time first-team all-area and three-time first-team all-district performer at multiple positions … named an Old Spice Player of the Year … selected to play in the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star Football Classic … ranked as the 60th-best athlete by ESPNU … rated as the best athlete by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … a member of the Austin American-Statesman's Fab 55 (state's top prospects) … three-year starter who tallied 3,614 yards rushing and 48 TDs, 1,280 yards passing and nine TDs and 31 receptions for 428 yards and five TDs over his final two seasons … helped Stevens compile a 25-13 record … named to the Class 5A All-Area Offensive Backfield by the San Antonio Express-News as a senior … a first-team All-Texas High School selection by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … also earned district 27-5A Player of the Year honors and was named the class 5A Top Superstar by Dave Campbell's Texas Football … earned honorable mention all-state honors from the Associated Press … tabbed the district 27-5A Offensive MVP … helped lead Stevens to a 11-4 record, a district championship and an appearance in the state semifinals … rushed for 2,859 yards (fourth-best in San Antonio history and tops in class 5A) and 40 TDs while averaging just over 12 yards per carry … also passed for 935 yards and seven TDs … named a Dave Campbell's Texas Football Player of the Week finalist in week eight after rushing for 274 yards and six TDs and passing for 104 yards in a win over SA Holmes … also named a finalist in week 11 after rushing for 239 yards and four TDs in a 45-21 win over SA Southwest … also named a finalist in week 13 after rushing for 165 yards and three TDs while passing for 106 yards in a playoff win over Harlingen … rushed for a career-high 310 yards and four TDs in a win over Wagner in the state quarterfinals … rushed for 152 yards and one TD and passed for 125 yards and one TD versus Pearland in the state semifinals … rushed for 236 yards and four TDs while passing for 72 yards in a win over San Antonio Jay … passed for 116 yards and two TDs while rushing for 214 yards and three TDs on just six carries in a win over San Antonio Taft … selected to San Antonio Express-News' Class 5A All- Area football second team as a junior … tabbed first-team all-district 28-5A … helped lead Stevens to a 7-4 record … tallied 755 yards rushing and eight TDs, passed for 345 yards and two TDs and caught 31 passes for 428 yards and five TDs … also tallied 350 return yards and one TD … a first-team all-district 28-5A selection as a sophomore … rushed for 191 yards and three TDs while catching nine passes for 73 yards … a four-year letterman in track and field … set a personal record in the long jump at the South San Invitational as a senior, jumping 25-2 to break San Antonio's longest-standing high school mark … placed second at the state meet in the long jump as a senior, posting a mark of 24-0.5 … also placed first in the long jump at the Texas Relays with a mark of 25-2.25 … San Antonio Express-News All-Area Track and Field selection in the long jump as a junior … placed first in district, first in region and fifth at the state meet in the long jump as a junior … district champion in the 100m, 4X100- and 4X200-meter relays and a regional champion and state finalist in the long jump as a sophomore.

PERSONAL

Born in Naples, Italy, before moving to England, Georgia and then San Antonio in 2002 … participated in Under the Bridge ministry ... graduated in December, 2014 with a bachelor's degree in physical culture and sports with a sociology minor.

PLAYER STATISTICS