For years, Erroll Thompson has been one of the best linebackers in the SEC. It all started with a breakout rookie season when he was named to the All-SEC Freshman team. He finished the 2017 campaign with 46 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss 2.5 sacks, a pass deflection and a forced fumble as Mississippi State went 9-4 in Dan Mullen’s final year.
In his sophomore year under a brand new coach, Thompson took over starting duties and had a career season with 87 total tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks and two interceptions. He was named second-team All-SEC and headed into his junior season with high expectations.
Before the year began, he was on a handful of projected All-SEC teams and was named a team captain as a junior. He took a minor step back with 84 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and just 0.5 sacks with two passes defended and a forced fumble.
While Thompson might be coming off a down year, of sorts, he still has the potential to be one of the SEC’s best linebackers and he’ll have to prove that for his third coach in four years.