2022 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: BJ Thompson, DE, Stephen F. Austin University

• Name: BJ Thompson
• Position: Defensive End
• College: Stephen F. Austin University
• Height: 6’6
• Weight: 225
• Twitter: @_BJthompson
• Instagram: @Brandon_lamar_

What makes you a top prospect at your position  in the 2022 NFL Draft? 

• I believe my athleticism and versatility make me special and a top prospect. Being able to run and jump as I do at 6’6 is a gift. I played, excelled, and received offers in football, basketball, and track out of high school. I even received offers on the offensive side of the ball and honestly believe I could catch touchdowns at the next level as well. I believe being able to showcase my skills at my pro day will increase my draft stock tremendously. 

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

• I first started playing football in the second grade and I’ve been in love ever since. 

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

• One thing NFL teams should know about me is that my effort will always be there. I will never cheat myself or the team. I take pride in excelling in everything I do whether it be on game day or drills during the week at practice. 

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be? 

• I would donate to HBCU’s sports across the nation. Help provide them with facilities, equipment, and finances like other universities. 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

• The best advice I’ve ever received was to keep going and never look back. My past is something I never want to go back to. I’ve made it so far in my journey that I refuse to stop or let up now.

Who was your childhood hero? 

• My childhood hero growing up was Kobe Bryant. 

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

• The most underrated teammates in my locker room would be Xavier Gipson and Brevin Randle. I’ve played at the Big 12 level and both of those guys would have definitely been able to compete. They will both find themselves on an NFL roster in the future. 

What is your biggest pet peeve? 

• My biggest pet peeve is someone not keeping it real. It costs absolutely nothing to keep it 100. 

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome? 

• The hardest moment I had to overcome was getting kicked out of Baylor after my sophomore season. I was second on the team in sacks and looking forward to a monster junior season. I went home to Arkansas and almost gave up playing football. Didn’t know if I’d ever touch a field again. I was depressed for a while and lost all ambition. I sat on my ass for a whole semester. But look at me now. 

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

• Stephen F. Austin is special because for so long this program has been below average. The but of all jokes. We are on the verge of doing something really special here in Nacogdoches and everyone in town is excited. 

What is your favorite snack food? 

• My favorite snack food is cheese dip. Most people here call in queso. 

What is the best part of football? 

• The best part of football is the bond you create with your teammates and coaches. You bleed, sweat, and cry with those guys in the locker room and form a brotherhood that will last a lifetime

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say? 

• I am results-oriented, constantly checking in with the goal to determine how close or how far away I am and what it will take to make it happen.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be? 

• I would compare myself to Myles Garrett. We both have big frames, quickness, and have a great ability to turn the corner and get to the quarterback. 

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

• I would have dinner with Kobe Bryant. I’ve admired him for as long as I could remember. I would love to sit down and ask him questions on his mamba mentality and what he learned through his experience as a pro athlete. I would also like to have dinner with Russell Westbrook. He became my favorite NBA player after Kobe retired and possesses the closest thing to the mamba mentality since Kobe. I would love to have conversations with him on his motto “Why Not?” Lastly, I would love to have dinner with Jay Z and gain knowledge on how he built his empire and made his way to a billion dollars.