Syracuse Football: Defensive End Ron Thompson Declares for the NFL Draft

ESPN's Joe Schad broke the news via Twitter that Thompson would forego his final year of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft and Thompson subsequently confirmed it via his own Twitter account. He leaves behind a legacy as a skilled pass rusher and playing with a high motor, amassing twenty tackles for a loss, twelve sacks, six forced fumbles and a rushing TD in his career.

Thompson came to the Syracuse Orange as part of the 2012 Recruiting Class under Coach Doug Marrone as a four star TE from Southfield High School in Michigan. Thompson would redshirt his freshman year and switch to defensive end prior to the 2013 season. He showed flashes of ability in his redshirt freshman year and became a regular contributor is his sophomore year.

This past season, Thompson took on a starting role and accrued seven sacks, nine and a half tackles for a loss, an ACC-leading four forced fumbles and was named to the All-ACC third team. Thompson had one year of eligibility remaining but will attempt to take his talents to the NFL.

Last year Syracuse failed to have a player drafted for the first time since 2008. It was feared that no player from Syracuse would be drafted in the 2016 NFL Draft either; however Thompson had an exceptional year and will try to impress scouts at NFL Combine and Syracuse Pro Day enough to be selected on Draft Day. We wish Ron the best of luck in fulfilling his NFL dreams!