Toledo football will be ushering in a new quarterback next fall, but whoever is under center will have two great targets to work with.
Cody Thompson, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound wide receiver from Huron, Ohio, has been granted a fifth season to compete for the Rockets. Thompson had his year cut short after suffering a leg injury vs. Eastern Michigan back on October 7.
At the time, Thompson had 28 receptions and was averaging over 107 yards per game. In 2016, he was a first team all-MAC selection after recording 64 receptions for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns.
“These last (four) years at UT have been some of the best of my life,” Thompson posted on Twitter. “I have met many amazing people and Toledo has provided me with incredible opportunities. After much thought and discussion with my family about my future, I have decided that I am going to take my (fifth) year and play one more season at Toledo.
“I couldn’t be more excited about this decision, one more season in the midnight blue and gold to bring another MAC championship trophy back to Toledo. Let’s fill the Glass Bowl come Sept 1st Week 1.”
One last ride 🚀 pic.twitter.com/gxfhfJCPNm
— Cody Thompson (@cthom1441) December 26, 2017
Despite the loss of Thompson, Toledo went 11-3 this year, winning the MAC title with a 45-28 victory over Akron. They lost in the Dollar General Bowl to Appalachian State, 34-0.
The only other losses the Rockets suffered this past season came to Miami (52-30) and Ohio (38-10). They defeated Nevada, Tulsa and Western Michigan during the regular season, scoring over 45 points six times.
While star quarterback Logan Woodside will graduate, taking his 3,882 yards and 28 touchdowns with him, the team returns Diontae Johnson to pair with Thompson at wide receiver. Johnson caught 74 passes for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore.
Freshman Shakif Seymour will be counted on to replace 1,300-yard rusher Terry Swanson. Seymour had 116 carries for 702 yards and 12 touchdowns, and will be joined by sophomore Art Thompkins, who had 629 yards and two scores, in the backfield.
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Mitchell Guadagni attempted six passes, completing one, this past year. Guadagni, a sophomore, will be the most experienced quarterback returning for Toledo and head coach Jason Candle.