MSU’S Thompson focused on finishing season strong
Mississippi State seniors like linebacker Erroll Thompson have a chance to return next season for one more run due to an extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA.
Thompson has yet to consider whether he will take that path or not with the Bulldogs. His main focus has been to give his best effort in the final two games of this season.
“I’m focused on finishing the season out, taking it day by day and the rest will handle itself,” Thompson said.
MSU will honor its seniors prior to Saturday night’s game against the Auburn Tigers and it will sure to be an emotional time for Thompson.
It has caused Thompson to reflect on his time with the Bulldogs this week.
“Mississippi State means everything,” Thompson said. “It changed my life as a young man and as a football player. I’ve met a lot of great people here. With the players, I’ve made a lot of good friendships.
“There have been ups and downs. I’ve been here through the highs and lows. That will prepare me for the real world and real life. I’m really just thankful.”
MSU can be thankful for what Thompson has given to the defense over the last four seasons.
From 2017 until now, Thompson has been making plays for the Bulldogs.
Thompson had 46 tackles and 2.5 sacks during his freshman season, then improved those numbers to 87 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2018. He has led the State defense the last two seasons with 84 tackles in 2019 and 74 tackles so far this season.
Along the way, Thompson has been a big influence on young linebackers like Nate Watson.
“I’ve learned a lot from Erroll,” Watson said. “From
State by the Mississippi Association of Coaches after throwing for 1,653 yards and 16 touchdowns with five interceptions. He added another 222 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He’ll sign with Ole Miss next Wednesday and enroll early with the Rebels.
Howard finished the year playing in six games with 325 rushing yards and three touchdowns averaging 6 yards a rush. He added 18 catches for 197 yards. Lawrence fought through injuries and still had an impressive showing in the four games he played with 26 tackles, six tackles for loss, three pass breakups and a sack.
Coaching the offense this year will be SHS coach Chris Jones, who is looking forward to the opportunity ahead.
“It’s going to be exciting to be able to go and represent the state of Mississippi,” Jones said. “This is my fourth time, but every time is fun to be there. The more you can be around kids and impact their lives the better.”
Also on the roster is West Point defensive lineman Jaylin Rush, while offensive lineman Jamarr Davis was picked for the team, but will be out due to injury. Both enjoyed a solid senior year as Rush finished with 59 tackles and eight sacks this year and Davis helped pave the way for a 4,000 yard rushing attack. The Green Wave just finished off a fifth-straight trip to the Class 5A State championship last week as they fell short of winning trophy number five
in a row.
It’s the sixth-straight season that multiple Green Wave players have made the roster and seventh-straight for the Jackets. Saturday’s game in Montgomery, Ala., will begin at noon and fans can catch it on FNUTL.COM or the MAC Network.