If DT Trenton Thompson doesn't return, Georgia defense has much less bite
The future of Trenton Thompson, Georgia’s standout defensive tackle, is up in the air at this point due to an undisclosed health issue.
Thompson is no longer enrolled after withdrawing for the spring semester. According to an official statement from the school, he suffered “an adverse reaction to medications prescribed specifically for his medical condition.”
A 6-foot-4, 309-pound monster in the middle of the Bulldogs defense, Thompson totaled 59 tackles — including 9.5 behind the line of scrimmage — in 2016 for coach Kirby Smart. More often than not, D-tackle isn’t necessarily a playmaking position. But as a true sophomore, he tied for the team lead with 5.0 sacks.
Right now, there’s no timetable for Thompson’s return to UGA. Unfortunately for the Dawgs, it’s fair to wonder if he ever will.
In the wee hours of Thursday morning, Thompson was picked up by university police upon being spotted wandering aimlessly on a campus road. The police report, which was obtained by the AP, described him as “behaving incoherently.”
If he were unable to make it back in uniform for the Dawgs, then their status as the team to beat in the East would take a hit. While the offense is led by strong-armed quarterback Jacob Eason and the one-two tailback punch of Nick Chubb and Sony Michel, Thompson — a former 5-star signee — may be Smart’s most talented player.
The school’s statement was quite adamant: Nothing was in Thompson’s system that shouldn’t have been there, period.
“With respect to last night’s incident, the physical appearance and behavior described in the UGA PD report is solely related to an adverse reaction to medications prescribed specifically for his medical condition. The adverse reaction required emergency transport to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center where he was treated and released. Toxicology tests performed at the hospital were negative for OxyContin.”
Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Assuming he’s healthy for his upcoming junior campaign and performs up to expectations, Thompson is a candidate to depart Athens early for the NFL Draft. He has the look and feel of a no-doubt-about-it first-round pick.
But this situation sounds serious. Recently, he required a lengthy stay in the hospital to battle whatever ailment eventually forced him to take a break from classes. Thompson’s family authorized — most likely in an effort to shoot down any potential rumors of substance abuse — the release of his medical information.
Even if his toxicology report showed no signs of OxyContin, Thompson told the officers who stopped him that he had indeed taken “two oxies.”
In the weekly car crash known as the game of football, particularly in the almighty SEC, defensive tackles are subjected to as much punishment as any position on the field. Their heads are banged as often as their legs are cut.
If Thompson has been taking painkillers to deal with the damage his body has been subjected to — he’s reportedly had several shoulder surgeries already — he wouldn’t be the first to fall down the slippery slope of addiction. Whatever demons he may be battling, we can only hope he gets some help in order to get back to full health.
Thompson is a phenomenal player. Georgia needs him this coming season. But the Bulldogs also need him to be right. Wish him well.
John Crist is the senior writer for Saturday Down South, a member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy. Send him an e-mail, like him on Facebook or follow him on Twitter.
