Well-known football analyst Mike Detillier said former Colonels football cornerback Chris Thompson’s chances of hearing his name called during the NFL Draft on April 24 and 25 are very good.After participating in the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Ind. on Feb. 22, Detillier said Thompson has all the mechanics a NFL player needs.
“He’s got good size and foot speed, and he also has quick hands. One of the things that I have seen is that a lot of defensive backs don’t have reaction skills. You can’t teach that because either you have it or you don’t.”
Detillier said Thompson’s reaction to the football is great compared to that of other players.
“A lot of guys in the league have all the size and speed, but they don’t have reaction to the ball,” Detillier said. “Chris does, and he has good football reaction skill. I like that, and I think that is a huge part of playing NFL football.”
In addition to having speed, size and reaction skills, Detillier said Thompson stock can increase due to his performance on special teams. During his career at Nicholls, Thompson blocked numerous punt and field-goal attempts.
“He is a terrific kick-blocker, and he’s got a knack for blocking kicks. In this league, that is big.”
During the draft, Detillier said Thompson could be a third or fourth round draft choice.
Thompson said the possibility of getting drafted is like a dream come true for him.
“Every time I wake up, it is like a dream,” Thompson said. “You work so hard to get where you are now, and now it’s so close that you can almost touch it.”
Since the conclusion of his senior season, Thompson said he has been rather busy preparing for the NFL draft. Thompson was selected to play in the Blue-Gray All-Star Classic in Montgomery, Ala., on Dec. 20. He recorded an interception, a pass break-up and assisted in one tackle in the game aired nationally on ESPN 2.
After the Blue-Gray game, Thompson went to Kenner to train with fitness and nutritionalist guru Mackie Shilstone. Thompson said his main focus this offseason was to increase his speed.
“My main focus is speed,” Thompson said. “We did a lot of speed work. It took a lot of hard work and dedication. I ran a 4.46 in the 40-meters in Indianapolis, so I noticed some improvements from the training.”
During the Indianapolis combine, Thompson and other future NFL players performed various speed, agility and weight training skills in front of scouts, coaches and general managers from every NFL team.
“He (John) is a stand-up guy, and he is respectable around the league,” Thompson said.
Thompson’s parents, Cornell and Jo Thompson, are both excited and anxiously awaiting for the NFL draft.
“We are very excited,” Jo Thompson said. “We are trying not to get too excited because we are waiting and hoping for the best. He has loved football since he was a little kid. We are just excited for him.”
“I am more excited than he is. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Cornell Thompson said. “It is a dream come true not only for him, but the entire family.”
Although Jo Thompson said playing for a local team like the New Orleans Saints or Houston Texans would be nice, she prefers her son to play somewhere else outside of Louisiana or Texas.
“I think that is great; however, I think it would be a growth experience if he had the opportunity for him to go somewhere away. It would be an outstanding experience I think for him to represent his hometown.”
Thompson’s former Colonels teammate and roommate Jamar Mozee said he is very excited.
“I am very excited. Not only was Chris my teammate, but he also was one of my best friends. It’s a privilege for me to be around him. Whatever he wants me to do, I will support him. I will be happy to see him make it.”
When the NFL draft day comes, Thompson said he will be relaxed and calm while waiting for the news with his family. The draft will air live from New York City on April 24 and 25 on ESPN.
“Whatever happens, I know that I did my best. I plan to be at home with my family, and I will just wait for my moment to come, and I will see where I am headed from there.
