Kirby Smart has not been shy to point out Georgia’s lack of size and athleticism on the offensive and defensive lines. One person who shouldn’t fall under that generalization, however, is sophomore defensive tackle Trenton Thompson.
The nation’s No. 1 prospect for the 2015 class, Thompson was coveted by many of the SEC’s elite program, including Smart’s former team, the Alabama Crimson Tide.
During his freshman season, Thompson was brought along slowly but earned his first start for Georgia against Alabama and his new head coach. The 6-foot-4, 309-pound defender with rare athleticism racked up 25 tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss during his freshman season, but many believe he is capable of becoming an elite disruptor in the SEC.
If anyone would be able to get the most out of Thompson, it would be Smart, whose defenses at Alabama routinely featured some of the best playmakers in college football. Two games into the 2016 season, it appears Thompson is beginning to emerge.
In an uncomfortable 26-24 win against Nicholls State, Thompson was perhaps the only player who performed as expected against an inferior foe. Thompson collected 11 tackles, including 3 for a loss and a sack. Through two games, he leads all Bulldogs in tackles and tackles for a loss, a notable accomplishment for a defensive tackle.
“Trenton practices hard,” Smart said after Saturday’s game. “One thing that’s been evident to me is that the guys who practice real hard usually play good. So, we need more guys to do what Trenton’s doing.”
Thompson’s emergence could be the most important thing to happen for Georgia this season. The Bulldogs’ defensive line is inexperienced and will be a work-in-progress. Having Thompson making plays in the middle would be tremendously beneficial for those around him.
Think back to players like Glenn Dorsey and Ndamukong Suh. Thompson has the ability to become similar. As defensive tackles, Dorsey and Suh impacted the game more than any other defender on their teams. It wasn’t just their individual performances that made a difference, but rather the way they made those around them better.
Kirston Pittman played alongside Dorsey for one season as a defensive end for LSU. In 2007, Pittman had 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss. A year later, while Dorsey was a rookie in the NFL, Pittman’s numbers fell to 2.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for a loss.
A defensive tackle who is able to draw double teams and still get pressure not only creates more opportunities for teammates but also changes an offense’s game plan.
“Trenton is athletic, he’s one of our more athletic big men,” Smart said Saturday. “That’s the hardest thing to find A) in recruiting, but to help with these kind of teams when you’ve got a guy who can make tackles in the backfield.”
Thompson’s talent is obvious, but Georgia’s coaches worked in preseason practice to improve his motor and his discipline. Elite high school players like Thompson, who had 21 sacks and 88 tackles for a loss at Westover High School, must learn it’s technique and determination that separates great from good players in the SEC.
“Sometimes he looks like he’s not into it,” Smart said after a practice this summer. “But if you light a little fire under him, he makes some plays.”
What’s most encouraging about Thompson’s performance on Saturday is that it appeared nobody had to light a fire under him. His best play might have been sprinting to make a tackle along the sideline 8 yards past the line of scrimmage in the third quarter.
Thompson’s talent is what made him an exciting prospect. His effort against an FCS program on a day when his team looked sluggish is what makes him an exciting player for the Bulldogs moving forward.
William McFadden covers the University of Georgia for Saturday Down South. For news on everything happening between the hedges, follow him on Twitter @willmcfadden.
