Top-10 players outside of the Power Five conferences
By Robert Judin
2. Darian Thompson – S, Boise State
It really is a shame that Darian Thompson doesn’t get the deserved recognition simply because he plays for Boise State. Thompson is a unique player at the safety position because he doesn’t have a glaring weakness.
He can cover his own in zone schemes because of his ability to break on the ball and activate his ballhawk nature. At 6-foot-2, 210 lbs, Thompson has the ability to match up with bigger wide receivers and tight ends as well. Plus, he can bump down into the box and act as an extra linebacker to stop the run.
Thompson’s been a three-year starter at Boise State and has been killing it the whole time.
In his first season, he thrived with 43 total tackles and three interceptions. Though after missing about a quarter of the season in 2013 due to injury, Thompson battled back in 2014 and regained star form.
During his junior season, he racked up 71 total tackles — 50 solo. The far more impressive stat was the six interceptions Thompson hauled in that year. He established himself as a threat on multiple levels and helped solidify Boise State’s secondary.
Of course, as we all know, the better a defensive back is … the less he’ll be targeted. So, it’s fair to assume the numbers will drop in Thompson’s senior season.
He won’t get as much hype as Nate Andrew, Jalen Mills, or Tony Conner, but don’t mistake Thompson for a chump. He could be a solid pickup on the second day of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Next: No. 1 Ronnie Stanley