If Deionte Thompson’s college career came to an end on Monday night in Santa Clara, it came after one of his personal worst performances as a member of the team. The redshirt junior said that himself when he noted how bad the 44-16 loss to Clemson hurt immediately after the game.

Of course, Thompson has a big decision coming up in the near future as he projects as a potential top defensive back following his breakout season in Tuscaloosa. The deadline to declare early for the 2019 NFL Draft is Jan. 14.

After displaying enough skill this season to be ranked among the best defensive back prospects in the nation, Thompson could certainly decide to leave school early but his comments after the game suggest he may be returning to Tuscaloosa for one more shot at a national championship.

This is what Thompson had to say when asked how Alabama would rebound from the loss to Clemson.

“It’s going to be motivation, just having the confetti fall on someone else and not you, that’s one of the hardest pills to swallow in the world. There’s going to be extra motivation for us. We’ll be ready,” Thompson said after the game in a video uploaded to YouTube by AL.com.

During his press availability after the game, the inevitable question about his upcoming NFL decision came up. How long before the junior makes his decision?

“No time soon. This one hurt, this one cut me deep,” he answered.

How will he make his decision?

“Sit down with my family and Coach Saban and see what’s the best for me. Right now, I’m not focusing on that,” Thompson admitted after the game.

While it is a big decision and emotions were clearly running high following the game, what did Thompson have his mind on if not his pending NFL decision?

“The seniors that aren’t going to play football again, they went out with an L. I feel like I didn’t do my part, which I didn’t – to help those guys go out the way they wanted,” Thompson said. “Those guys put in so much work, day in and day out, we didn’t send them out on a right note.”

Based on those comments, Thompson may be leaning toward returning to Alabama for one final season hoping to end his college career on a better note. We’ll find out soon enough if that’s indeed what he decides to do.