Kendal Thompson (born May 14, 1992) is an American former professional football wide receiver.[1] He played quarterback at Oklahoma and Utah before transitioning to wide receiver in preparation for the National Football League (NFL). He signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2016.[2] He is the son of Charles Thompson, a famous University of Oklahoma quarterback.[3]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | May 14, 1992 |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 198 lb (90 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Southmoore (Moore, Oklahoma) |
| College: | Oklahoma Utah |
| Position: | Wide receiver |
| Undrafted: | 2016 |
| Career history | |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Early life
editAs a standout at Southmoore High School, Thompson was an Elite 11 finalist and also earned all-America honors.[4] He competed in the Under Armour All-America Game.[5] After graduating high school early in December 2010, he enrolled at the University of Oklahoma in January 2011.
College career
editOklahoma
editThompson was redshirted in 2011 and did not play in any games in 2012. As a redshirt sophomore in 2013, Thompson was slated to compete against redshirt junior Blake Bell and redshirt freshman Trevor Knight for the starting quarterback job. Thompson was forced to drop out of the quarterback derby after suffering a broken right foot during the first practice of fall camp.[6] He was able to return during the 2013 season and made two appearances as a backup quarterback, including one during the Bedlam Series against #6 ranked Oklahoma State.[7] On January 21, 2014, Thompson announced his intention to graduate from the University of Oklahoma in May and transfer to another college to play football as a graduate student.[8]
Utah
editThompson transferred to the University of Utah and was eligible to play immediately after graduating from Oklahoma. He competed with junior Travis Wilson, who started 16 games at quarterback for Utah in the previous two seasons, for the starting quarterback job. It was expected that Wilson would win the quarterback competition and he was eventually named the starting quarterback over Thompson during fall camp.[9] In a game against #8 ranked UCLA on October 4, 2014, Thompson relieved Wilson after the offense started the game with three consecutive three-and-outs. Thompson would lead Utah to a 30-28 upset victory over UCLA. In the next game against Oregon State, Thompson started the game, but was benched in favor of Wilson at halftime. Wilson would lead Utah to a double-overtime victory.[10][11] On November 8, Thompson started the game against #4 ranked Oregon, but he left the game after suffering a torn ACL. The knee injury ended his 2014 season.[12][13]
Professional career
editWashington Redskins
editThompson signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent on July 27, 2016.[14] He was waived on September 3, 2016 and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[15][16] After spending his entire rookie season on the practice squad, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Redskins on January 2, 2017.[17]
On August 13, 2017, Thompson was waived/injured by the Redskins and placed on injured reserve.[18] He was released on August 18, 2017.
Los Angeles Rams
editOn July 30, 2018, Thompson signed with the Los Angeles Rams.[19] On August 31, 2018, Thompson was waived/injured by the Rams and placed on injured reserve.[20] He was released on December 4, 2018.
Personal life
editThompson is a member of the Kiowa tribe, gaining membership through his mother. In 2014, he went through a naming ceremony and received the name "Little Wolf".[21][22] He is the older brother of current Oklahoma Sooners quarterback, Casey Thompson.[3]
On May 10, 2013, Thompson was arrested on misdemeanor complaints of public intoxication and interference with official process at about 2:15 a.m. after police responded to a loud party call.[23]
References
edit- ^ "Kendal Thompson". NFL.com. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ "As Kendal Thompson tries to make Redskins, he clings to Native American roots". ESPN.com. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
- ^ a b Piper, Matthew. "Utah football: QB Thompson vying for top billing — with team and family". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ "@010 Elite 11 History". elite11.com.
- ^ "Rosters for 2011 Under Armour All-America High School Football Game Set". ESPN Media Zone. Retrieved October 16, 2019.
- ^ Greenspan, Dan (August 1, 2013). "Kendal Thompson out of Oklahoma QB derby after injuring foot". NFL.com. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ Hinnen, Jerry (February 26, 2014). "Ex-Oklahoma QB Kendal Thompson transfers to Utah". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ Hinnen, Jerry (January 22, 2014). "Oklahoma QB Kendal Thompson announces transfer". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ Bonagura, Kyle (August 18, 2014). "Utah names Travis Wilson starting QB". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ Bonagura, Kyle (October 16, 2014). "Thompson or Wilson? Answer should be obvious". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ Jennings, Chantel (October 22, 2014). "Utah turns to Travis Wilson at QB ... for now". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ Goon, Kyle (November 9, 2014). "Utes lose QB Kendal Thompson and WR Tim Patrick for the season". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ Piper, Matthew (April 24, 2015). "Utah football: After remarkably fast recovery, Kendal Thompson is ready to compete in fall". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ Czarda, Stephen (July 27, 2016). "Redskins Sign Wide Receivers Kendal Thompson, T.J. Thorpe". Redskins.com. Retrieved June 7, 2017.
- ^ "09/03: Redskins Make Roster Moves". Redskins.com. September 3, 2016. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ^ Czarda, Stephen (September 4, 2016). "Nine Players Signed To The Redskins' Practice Squad". Redskins.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ^ "Redskins Sign Nine To Reserve/Future Contracts". Redskins.com. January 2, 2017. Archived from the original on September 3, 2017. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ^ Williams, Charean (August 13, 2017). "Washington signs OL Kendall Pace, LB Ron Thompson Jr". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
- ^ Simmons, Myles (July 30, 2018). "Rams Waive Aaron Lacombe, Sign Kendal Thompson". TheRams.com.
- ^ "Rams Make Initial Roster Cuts". TheRams.com. August 31, 2018.
- ^ Piper, Matthew. "Utah football: For Utes' Kendal Thompson, Native American pride goes further than being 'Ute Proud'". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- ^ Keim, John (August 8, 2016). "As Kendal Thompson tries to make Redskins, he clings to Native American roots". ESPN. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ Trotter, Jake (May 10, 2013). "Sooners' Kendal Thompson arrested". ESPN. Retrieved July 21, 2023.