NFL Draft Riser: Washington LB Shaq Thompson Hot

Sep 6, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies linebacker Shaq Thompson (7) scores a 57 yard touchdown on offense against the Eastern Washington Eagles during the first half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

You have to love a good Saturday of college football, and apparently the football loves Washington Huskies linebacker Shaq Thompson. He’s reached the end zone as a defender already five times this season, including a 100-yard fumble recovery against California on Saturday afternoon.

In addition to a rushing touchdown, the 6’1″ 228 pound defender has an interception he returned for a touchdown as well as three fumble recoveries for touchdowns. This guy is making plays all over the field, collecting 45 tackles and scoring five touchdowns on the season. It’s not by accident either, though it doesn’t hurt to be in the right place at the right time.

Thompson is a fast, athletic linebacker with an aggressive mentality and obviously a nose for the football. He is a great tackler who plays the game smart, and I think he’s got a chance to be a day one or two pick before all is said and done. Right now, Thompson is a junior, so he’s eligible to leave after this year but you don’t always see non-pass rushing linebackers leave school early. The demand is simply not there in the NFL, so we may have Thompson on Saturdays yet for awhile.

And that’s okay.

Opposing teams may not be overly excited about it, but the Huskies certainly won’t complain and this is a player who has been lighting it up, consistently improving his draft stock on a weekly basis. The fact that he plays well and caps it all off with a touchdown seemingly every game is great for Thompson to put him in an even bigger spotlight.

He’s not the biggest linebacker ever, but Thompson makes up for it with an aggressive style of play and versatility that has gotten him recognized as perhaps the top non-pass rushing linebacker eligible for this year’s draft.