Jeremy Thompson, mathematics sophomore from Ponchatoula and punter for the Colonels’ football team, is a leader for the football team in his own little way. “Jeremy is a great kid and he works hard. He is also a quiet kid who leads by his example on the field,” Daryl Daye, Colonels head coach, said.
Thompson’s statistics this season shows the hard work and dedication he shows on the field. Thompson currently is second in the country with an average of 43.5 yards per punt.
Thompson started his involvement in football at a early age. “I started playing around the 5th grade around the age of 10.” Thompson comes from a football family. His father Art played football at Mississippi State and Southeastern Louisiana, and his brother Artie played football for Nicholls in 1999.
“My father and my brother were my biggest inspirations growing up,” Thompson said.
At Ponchatoula High School, Thompson earned state recognition when he was named All-State by both the LHSAA and the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. He was also named to academic all-state his senior season.
In high school, Thompson averaged 40 yards per punt his junior year, and a 41.6 yards per punt average his senior season.
During Thompson’s senior season, his team accomplished a historic feat. “We reached the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 50 years,” he said.
Other positions he played were tight end and linebacker.
Thompson also played baseball, basketball and track while attending Ponchatoula.
Upon coming to Nicholls, Thompson had many reasons to become a Colonel. “Nicholls offered me a scholarship and an opportunity to play close to home,” he said.
Thompson thinks the relationship with his teammates is a very close one. “We get along good together, close like teammates should be,” Thompson said.
“Jeremy is a nice guy to know and be friends with both on and off the field,” James Wilcox, freshman from Thibodaux and Colonels place kicker, said.
Whenever Thompson is not playing football, he usually likes to relax by doing his own activities.
“I like to go fishing and hunting on my spare time when I am back home,” Thompson said.
