The Citadel Athletics

A first-team Associated Press All-America defensive lineman in 1986 and a third team member in 1987, Thompson was named the Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year in ’86 … considered one of the best defensive linemen in Citadel history, Thompson, who played in the ’87 Senior Bowl, was a three-time All-SoCon selection who led the league with an astonishing 183 tackles in ’86, a school record for down linemen … an All-State pick who served as team captain in ’86, he received the ’87 President’s Award from The Citadel Brigadier Foundation ...  was named to Sports Illustrated’s “Best and Brightest” team and Southern Living Magazine’s All-South Team, and while participating in the Senior Bowl, he was named the South Team’s top academic player which yielded a $1,500 donation to The Citadel … signed a free agent contract with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.