Bryce Thompson (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (born 1999)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Bryce Thompson
| image = Bryce Thompson (53728235816) (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Thompson with the San Antonio Brahmas in 2024
| current_team = DC Defenders
| number =1
| position = Cornerback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|9|20}}
| birth_place = Irmo, South Carolina, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 190
| high_school = Dutch Fork (Irmo)
| college = Tennessee
| undraftedyear = 2021
| pastteams =
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|2021}}–{{NFL Year|2022}})
- Seattle Sea Dragons ({{XFL Year|2023}})
- Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|2023}})*
- San Antonio Brahmas ({{UFL Year|2024}})
- DC Defenders ({{UFL Year|2025}}–present)
| status = Active
| highlights =
| statleague = NFL
| statseason =
| statweek =
| statlabel1 = Total tackles
| statvalue1 = 2
| pfr = ThomBr03
}}
Bryce Thompson (born September 20, 1999) is an American professional football cornerback for the DC Defenders of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football at Tennessee.
Early life
Thompson attended and played high school football at Dutch Fork in Irmo, South Carolina, during his freshman and sophomore years. He transferred to [https://www.benlippen.com/ Ben Lippen School] in Columbia, SC for his junior year where he led the falcons to their [https://www.wltx.com/video/sports/high-school/hs-football/bryce-thompson-reacts-to-ben-lippens-first-state-championship-in-football/101-2429894 first state championship] in football. Thompson returned to Dutch Fork High School for his senior year where he helped the silver foxes capture their [https://www.thestate.com/sports/high-school/prep-football/article256309257.html third state championship].{{Cite web |last=Bezjak |first=Lou |date=May 1, 2021 |title=Former Dutch Fork standout Bryce Thompson to sign with NFC South team |url=https://www.thestate.com/sports/high-school/prep-football/article251092354.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210503215550/https://www.thestate.com/sports/high-school/prep-football/article251092354.html |archive-date=May 3, 2021 |access-date=January 8, 2023 |website=The State}}
College career
Thompson played at the University of Tennessee from 2018–2020 under head coach Jeremy Pruitt.{{Cite web |title=Bryce Thompson College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/bryce-thompson-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109030713/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/bryce-thompson-1.html |archive-date=January 9, 2023 |access-date=January 9, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Tennessee Volunteers Coaches |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318121052/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/tennessee/ |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |access-date=January 9, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}} Thompson started 10 of 12 games in his freshman season, finishing with the highest grade of any freshman cornerback in the nation, with three interceptions and seven pass break-ups.{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Terry A. |date=September 10, 2018 |title=Tennessee cornerback Bryce Thompson named SEC freshman of the week |url=https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2018/9/10/17841918/tennessee-vols-football-cornerback-bryce-thompson-named-sec-freshman-of-the-week |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101150340/https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2018/9/10/17841918/tennessee-vols-football-cornerback-bryce-thompson-named-sec-freshman-of-the-week |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |website=Rocky Top Talk}} In his sophomore year, he finished with three interceptions, along with 32 tackles and a sack.{{Cite web |title=Bryce Thompson 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/bryce-thompson-1/gamelog/2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109030535/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/bryce-thompson-1/gamelog/2019 |archive-date=January 9, 2023 |access-date=January 9, 2023 |website=College Football at Sports-Reference.com |language=en}} As a junior he played 10 games, finishing with a career-high 36 tackles, two interceptions, a force fumble and a fumble recovery. In January 2021, Thompson announced he was foregoing his senior year to declare for the 2021 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Toppmeyer |first=Blake |date=January 5, 2021 |title=Tennessee football's Bryce Thompson declares for NFL Draft |url=https://eu.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2021/01/05/tennessee-football-bryce-thompson-nfl-draft-mock-ut-vols/4138930001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812133247/https://eu.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/football/2021/01/05/tennessee-football-bryce-thompson-nfl-draft-mock-ut-vols/4138930001/ |archive-date=August 12, 2022 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |website=Knox News}}
Professional career
=New Orleans Saints=
After going undrafted in the 2021 NFL draft, Thompson signed for the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent on May 2, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Calhoun |first=Caleb |date=May 2, 2021 |title=Tennessee football: Bryce Thompson follows tradition signing with Saints |url=https://allfortennessee.com/2021/05/02/tennessee-football-bryce-thompson-saints/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101150354/https://allfortennessee.com/2021/05/02/tennessee-football-bryce-thompson-saints/ |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |website=Fansided}} He was waived by the Saints, with an injury designation on August 26, 2021, before being waived from injured reserve on September 3, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Alper |first=Josh |date=August 26, 2021 |title=Saints activate KeiVarae Russell, waive Bryce Thompson |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/26/saints-activate-keivarae-russell-waive-bryce-thompson/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101150344/https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2021/08/26/saints-activate-keivarae-russell-waive-bryce-thompson/ |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=January 6, 2022 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=September 3, 2021 |title=Bryce Thompson: Waived with injury settlement |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bryce-thompson-waived-with-injury-settlement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101150339/https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bryce-thompson-waived-with-injury-settlement/ |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |website=CBSSports.com}} Thompson re-signed to the Saints practice squad on October 5, 2021.{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2021 |title=Bryce Thompson joins practice squad |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bryce-thompson-joins-practice-squad/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101150338/https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/bryce-thompson-joins-practice-squad/ |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |website=CBSSports.com}} He made his NFL debut in week 16 of the 2021 NFL season against the Miami Dolphins having been a gameday COVID-19 replacement activated from the practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Poupart |first=Alain |date=December 27, 2021 |title=More Practice Squad Elevations for Saints Game |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-make-more-practice-squad-elevations-for-saints-game |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101150338/https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins/news/miami-dolphins-make-more-practice-squad-elevations-for-saints-game |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |access-date=January 1, 2022 |website=FanNation}} He signed a reserve/future contract with the Saints on January 12, 2022.{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2022 |title=Saints sign six players to reserve/future contracts |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/saints-sign-six-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-january-12-2021 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113025342/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/saints-sign-six-players-to-reserve-future-contracts-january-12-2021 |archive-date=January 13, 2022 |access-date=January 8, 2023 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}}
Thompson was waived/injured on August 10, 2022,{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Bob |date=August 10, 2022 |title=Report: Saints Release DB Bryce Thompson |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/.amp/news/saints-release-bryce-thompson |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220823083402/https://www.si.com/nfl/saints/.amp/news/saints-release-bryce-thompson |archive-date=August 23, 2022 |access-date=January 8, 2023 |website=SI.com}} and was placed on injured reserve the next day.{{Cite web |date=August 11, 2022 |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-brian-allen-kj-costello-jack-koerner |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127165231/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-brian-allen-kj-costello-jack-koerner |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=January 8, 2023 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}} He was waived off injured reserve on August 15, 2022.{{Cite web |date=August 15, 2022 |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-roster-moves-transactions-jon-bostic-niko-lalos |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220815205844/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-roster-moves-transactions-jon-bostic-niko-lalos |archive-date=August 15, 2022 |access-date=August 15, 2022 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}} He was re-signed to the practice squad on October 5.{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2022 |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-jp-holtz-malcolm-roach |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221210080707/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-jp-holtz-malcolm-roach |archive-date=December 10, 2022 |access-date=January 8, 2023 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}} He was promoted to the active roster on October 8.{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2022 |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-x1892 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205214553/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-x1892 |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |access-date=January 8, 2023 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}} He was waived on November 1 and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted back to the active roster on November 19, then waived two days later.{{Cite web |date=November 19, 2022 |title=New Orleans Saints announce roster moves |url=https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-david-johnson-yasir-durant-zuniga |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206015055/https://www.neworleanssaints.com/news/new-orleans-saints-announce-roster-moves-david-johnson-yasir-durant-zuniga |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |access-date=January 8, 2023 |website=NewOrleansSaints.com}}
= Seattle Sea Dragons =
On January 20, 2023, Thompson signed with the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}} He was released from his contract on May 15, 2023.{{Cite web |title=XFL Transactions |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-transactions |access-date=May 18, 2023 |website=XFL.com}}
= Miami Dolphins =
On May 15, 2023, Thompson signed with the Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web |last=Simmons |first=Myles |date=May 15, 2023 |title=Dolphins to sign Bryce Thompson |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/dolphins-to-sign-bryce-thompson |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} He was waived on August 29, 2023.{{Cite web |date=August 29, 2023 |title=Miami Dolphins Make Roster Moves |url=https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/miami-dolphins-make-roster-moves-8-29-23 |access-date=January 12, 2024 |website=MiamiDolphins.com}}
= San Antonio Brahmas =
On December 26, 2023, Thompson signed with the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.{{Cite news |date=December 26, 2023 |title=Five players sign letters of intent with XFL |url=https://www.xfl.com/xfl-latest-news/2023/12/26/five-players-sign-letters-of-intent-with-xfl |access-date=December 27, 2023 |work=XFL.com}}
= DC Defenders =
On November 14, 2024, Thompson was traded to the DC Defenders in exchange for DE Jalen Harris.{{Cite web |title=UFL Transactions |url=https://uflboard.com/ufl-transactions/ |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=UFLBoard.com |language=en-US}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{footballstats|pfr=T/ThomBr03}}
- [https://utsports.com/sports/football/roster/bryce-thompson/12887 Tennessee Volunteers bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, Bryce}}
Category:Players of American football from South Carolina
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:American football safeties
Category:Tennessee Volunteers football players
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:Seattle Sea Dragons players
Category:Miami Dolphins players
Category:People from Irmo, South Carolina