University of North Texas Athletics
2010 Player Preview ? Derek Thompson
8/16/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Height/Weight: 6-4/223
Class: Sophomore
Position: Quarterback
Signed: In 2009 from Glen Rose High School
2009 Key Stat: 378.0 ... That's Thompson's career efficiency rating after he went 3-of-3 for 60 yards and a touchdown in the closing minutes of the season finale at Arkansas State. That performance was in relief of Riley Dodge and Nathan Tune, so can Thompson perform that well as the Mean Green's main man?
Why he will start: Thompson will have to out-duel Tune in a highly-publicized (and probably highly criticized) head-to-head battle this fall. Tune has more game experience, but Thompson has size, speed and a live arm.
Why he won't start: Both Tune and Thompson will get their opportunities to flourish in fall camp, and the winner will emerge soon enough. Coach Dodge has repeatedly said, "the time is now," in reference to the starting QB battle, which means the best player in camp will take the snaps at Clemson. If Tune, the veteran, outperforms him over the next couple of weeks he will start.
Don't' forget: As a senior at Glen Rose High School, Thompson not only threw for 2,627 yards and 26 touchdowns, but he also rushed for 629 yards on 98 carries - that's over 6.4 yards per carry. His versatility as a running threat might be one of the keys to securing the starting gig.
Overall: Nathan Tune certainly has the edge in experience, so Thompson will need to bowl over the Mean Green Nation with his athleticism to work his way into the starting QB job. Saturday's scrimmage was certainly a good start. After a week of camp Tune had a slight edge, but a solid scrimmage might have tipped the favor into Thompson's camp.
