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Boise State numerical roster countdown 2015: Day 4, Darian Thompson

By Drew Roberts
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

We've got 4 days until kickoff...so today we'll be highlighting #4 on the Boise State roster—Darian Thompson

#4, Darian Thompson, Senior, S

Stats

Height: 6'2"

Weight: 212 lbs.

High School: Paraclete High School, Lancaster, CA

How'd he get to The Blue™?

Thompson had a solid football career at Paraclete High School and finished it off with a bang. As a senior with the Spirits, Thompson was named All-CIF and All-Valley Defensive Most Valuable Player, which makes it not entirely surprising that he was also made All-CIF, all-valley and all-league teams. Thompson finished his senior year with 74 tackles, 7 interceptions, 8 PBUs and 2 interception returns for TDs. On offense, Thompson also contributed in a big way, catching 52 passes for 953 yards and 13 touchdowns—both school records for a single season. As a junior, Thompson made 40 tackles, 4 INTs and 4 PBUs, for which he earned a 2nd team all-league nod. Thompson was given a 76 rating by ESPN's recruiting service and a position ranking of 105, nationally. Thompson drew interest from Fresno State and Oregon State, but the Broncos were the only team to pull the trigger. Our gain.

Nickname

"DT"

Ironically, he's not a defensive tackle.

Look-a-like

Blades

Ruben Blades

Career highlights

Named to Walter Camp, Chuck Bednarik, Nagurski, and Jim Thorpe award watch lists ahead of 2015 season. CBSSports 2nd team All-American in 2014. First-Team All-MWC in 2014 after hauling in 7 interceptions and notching 71 tackles. At Paraclete High, he gained All-CIF Most Valuable Defensive Player honors in 2010, to go along with Alll-CIF and All-Valley first team on defense. He set single-season school records in 2010 for receiving yards and TDs.

2015 prospectus

Darian Thompson’s career has been quite a ride. Many thought that he would be constantly fighting Lee Hightower for a spot in the secondary after Hightower blew up as a true freshman. The following season, Hightower was dismissed from the team and Thompson was thrust into the limelight in Boise State’s season opening tilt against Michigan State. The Broncos didn’t win that game (nor any other opener since 2011…FIX THIS), but Thompson played admirably, even recording a fumble recovery in the close loss. Thompson would continue to improve as the season wore on and finished with 3 INTs. Each subsequent year, Thompson has done nothing but improve, and last season was finally rewarded for his efforts (7 INTs!) with a spot on the All-MWC first team. Believe it or not, the player that some thought might have a rocky path to playing time is now considered by multiple analysts to be the #1 free safety on their NFL draft boards. Thompson’s meteoric rise took some by surprise (including—if I’m honest—yours truly), but when you look at his football IQ and work ethic it’s really not so far-fetched. Thompson should continue to be a key figure in the Bronco secondary and should calm any fears about any “soft spots” on the Bronco D. I don’t know if he has another 7 INTs in him, but heck…he could have 10—nothing would surprise me any more with Thompson.

Is he on Twitter?

Completely made up fact

Thompson and Donte Deayon worked on an exclusive "interception dance" in the offseason. This is it, in a nutshell: