PRO: The Titans raised eyebrows when they traded up in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft to select Taylor Thompson. The 6-foot-6, 259-pound Thompson spent four years at Southern Methodist University as a defensive end and was considered a draft-worthy prospect at that position. However, the Titans were persuaded during pre-draft workouts that Thompson’s NFL future would be at tight end. He pairs ideal size with impressive athleticism, displayed in pre-draft workouts in the form of a 4.56-second 40-yard dash, a 37-inch vertical jump and reliable hands. Among Titans tight ends, he is added to the well-regarded veteran duo of Jared Cook and Craig Stevens. To acquire the pick they used to draft Thompson (145th overall), the Titans traded their own fifth-round pick (155th overall) and their seventh-round selection (227th overall) to the Miami Dolphins.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• As a defensive end at Southern Methodist University, Thompson started the final 43 games of his four-year career and tallied 139 tackles, 18 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback pressures, six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
• Thompson was a key contributor for SMU’s first bowl team in 25 years (2009 Hawaii Bowl vs. Nevada).
• With 18 sacks, Thompson concluded his Mustang career tied for fourth in school history (Chad Patton), trailing only Luke Johnson (23.5), Justin Rogers (19.5) and Anthony Beverly (19).
TITANS TIDBITS:
• Although Thompson spent four college seasons as a defensive end, he was not foreign to the offensive side of the ball. At Prosper (Texas) High School, he caught 58 passes for 960 yards as a senior wide receiver, in addition to playing defensive end and punter. Recruited by Vanderbilt as a tight end, he initially committed to the Commodores but then enrolled at Southern Methodist in order to stay closer to home. Under new head coach June Jones, however, SMU employed a spread offense that did not use a tight end, and Thompson decided to make his mark at defensive end. It was not until the final month of his senior season there that Jones encouraged him to think about making the switch back to tight end. He did, and in February 2012, Titans scouts became convinced of his potential at the Players All-Star Classic in Little Rock, Ark.
• The outdoor enthusiast enjoys golf, fishing and rock climbing. He also plays the guitar.
• Thompson’s “bucket list” includes going to the moon.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Prosper, Texas, native was selected by the Titans in the fifth round (145th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE:
• During his four years with the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Thompson competed in 49 games and finished his career with 43 straight starts at defensive end. He amassed 139 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, 12 quarterback pressures, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a blocked PAT. He was a three-time All-Conference USA selection.
AS A SENIOR (2011), started all 13 games and totaled 44 tackles, eight sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback pressures and one fumble recovery. Additionally ranked second in the conference with six forced fumbles. Helped SMU rank second in Conference USA in total defense. Named first-team All-Conference USA.
• At Texas A&M (9/4), tied his career high with eight tackles in the season opener.
• Against UTEP (9/10), posted three tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
• Against Tulane (11/5), accounted for four tackles, one sack and a career-high two forced fumbles.
• At TCU (10/1), notched four tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
AS A JUNIOR (2010), Started all 14 contests at defensive end and was named first-team All-Conference after posting 32 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and three quarterback pressures.
• Against Washington State (9/18), set a season high with 1.5 sacks.
• At Navy (10/16), recorded a season-high seven tackles.
AS A SOPHOMORE (2009), started all 13 games at defensive end and was named honorable mention All-Conference-USA by the league’s coaches. Posted 40 tackles and led the squad with 5.5 sacks. Added six tackles for loss, six quarterback pressures and four passes defensed.
• At UAB (9/12), recorded a sack and blocked a PAT to help preserve the win, which snapped a 17-game Conference USA losing streak and a 15-game road losing streak.
• Against UTEP (11/14), set his career high with two sacks, including a sack of Trevor Vittatoe to end the final Miner scoring threat and clinch an SMU win and bowl berth.
• Against Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl (12/24), registered a three-yard sack.
AS A FRESHMAN (2008), played in nine games with three starts at defensive end. Totaled 23 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one quarterback pressure.
• Against Memphis (11/8), registered his first career start and posted four tackles.
• At UTEP (11/15), notched a season-high eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
• Majored in philosophy.
PERSONAL:
• At Prosper (Texas) High School, was an All-State wide receiver and defensive end, in addition to earning All-District honors as a punter. He was ranked the No. 37 tight end prospect in the nation by Scout.com, No. 38 by Rivals.com, No. 41 by ESPN.com and the No. 1 tight end in Texas by Dave Campbell.
• As a senior, caught 58 passes for 960 yards and a touchdown.
• Also competed on the basketball, baseball and track and field teams in high school.
• List of favorites: (movie) “Super Troopers”; (TV show) “Workaholics”; (actor) Vince Vaughn; (music) classical music, particularly Chopin; (video game) Call of Duty; (school subject) psychology; (books) philosophy books; (car) 1970 Chevelle; (food) sushi; (favorite sports team other than the Titans) New York Yankees and Texas Rangers.
• His parents are Ron and Linda. He has a brother, Trevor, and a sister, Morgan.
• Born Taylor Nicholas Thompson on Oct. 19, 1989 in Plano, Texas.
PRO: The Titans raised eyebrows when they traded up in the fifth round of the 2012 NFL Draft to select Taylor Thompson. The 6-foot-6, 259-pound Thompson spent four years at Southern Methodist University as a defensive end and was considered a draft-worthy prospect at that position. However, the Titans were persuaded during pre-draft workouts that Thompson’s NFL future would be at tight end. He pairs ideal size with impressive athleticism, displayed in pre-draft workouts in the form of a 4.56-second 40-yard dash, a 37-inch vertical jump and reliable hands. Among Titans tight ends, he is added to the well-regarded veteran duo of Jared Cook and Craig Stevens. To acquire the pick they used to draft Thompson (145th overall), the Titans traded their own fifth-round pick (155th overall) and their seventh-round selection (227th overall) to the Miami Dolphins.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:
• As a defensive end at Southern Methodist University, Thompson started the final 43 games of his four-year career and tallied 139 tackles, 18 sacks, 22.5 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback pressures, six forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
• Thompson was a key contributor for SMU’s first bowl team in 25 years (2009 Hawaii Bowl vs. Nevada).
• With 18 sacks, Thompson concluded his Mustang career tied for fourth in school history (Chad Patton), trailing only Luke Johnson (23.5), Justin Rogers (19.5) and Anthony Beverly (19).
TITANS TIDBITS:
• Although Thompson spent four college seasons as a defensive end, he was not foreign to the offensive side of the ball. At Prosper (Texas) High School, he caught 58 passes for 960 yards as a senior wide receiver, in addition to playing defensive end and punter. Recruited by Vanderbilt as a tight end, he initially committed to the Commodores but then enrolled at Southern Methodist in order to stay closer to home. Under new head coach June Jones, however, SMU employed a spread offense that did not use a tight end, and Thompson decided to make his mark at defensive end. It was not until the final month of his senior season there that Jones encouraged him to think about making the switch back to tight end. He did, and in February 2012, Titans scouts became convinced of his potential at the Players All-Star Classic in Little Rock, Ark.
• The outdoor enthusiast enjoys golf, fishing and rock climbing. He also plays the guitar.
• Thompson’s “bucket list” includes going to the moon.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS:
• The Prosper, Texas, native was selected by the Titans in the fifth round (145th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft.
COLLEGE:
• During his four years with the Southern Methodist University Mustangs, Thompson competed in 49 games and finished his career with 43 straight starts at defensive end. He amassed 139 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 18 sacks, 12 quarterback pressures, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and a blocked PAT. He was a three-time All-Conference USA selection.
AS A SENIOR (2011), started all 13 games and totaled 44 tackles, eight sacks, 9.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback pressures and one fumble recovery. Additionally ranked second in the conference with six forced fumbles. Helped SMU rank second in Conference USA in total defense. Named first-team All-Conference USA.
• At Texas A&M (9/4), tied his career high with eight tackles in the season opener.
• Against UTEP (9/10), posted three tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
• Against Tulane (11/5), accounted for four tackles, one sack and a career-high two forced fumbles.
• At TCU (10/1), notched four tackles, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
AS A JUNIOR (2010), Started all 14 contests at defensive end and was named first-team All-Conference after posting 32 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and three quarterback pressures.
• Against Washington State (9/18), set a season high with 1.5 sacks.
• At Navy (10/16), recorded a season-high seven tackles.
AS A SOPHOMORE (2009), started all 13 games at defensive end and was named honorable mention All-Conference-USA by the league’s coaches. Posted 40 tackles and led the squad with 5.5 sacks. Added six tackles for loss, six quarterback pressures and four passes defensed.
• At UAB (9/12), recorded a sack and blocked a PAT to help preserve the win, which snapped a 17-game Conference USA losing streak and a 15-game road losing streak.
• Against UTEP (11/14), set his career high with two sacks, including a sack of Trevor Vittatoe to end the final Miner scoring threat and clinch an SMU win and bowl berth.
• Against Nevada in the Hawaii Bowl (12/24), registered a three-yard sack.
AS A FRESHMAN (2008), played in nine games with three starts at defensive end. Totaled 23 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one quarterback pressure.
• Against Memphis (11/8), registered his first career start and posted four tackles.
• At UTEP (11/15), notched a season-high eight tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
• Majored in philosophy.
PERSONAL:
• At Prosper (Texas) High School, was an All-State wide receiver and defensive end, in addition to earning All-District honors as a punter. He was ranked the No. 37 tight end prospect in the nation by Scout.com, No. 38 by Rivals.com, No. 41 by ESPN.com and the No. 1 tight end in Texas by Dave Campbell.
• As a senior, caught 58 passes for 960 yards and a touchdown.
• Also competed on the basketball, baseball and track and field teams in high school.
• List of favorites: (movie) “Super Troopers”; (TV show) “Workaholics”; (actor) Vince Vaughn; (music) classical music, particularly Chopin; (video game) Call of Duty; (school subject) psychology; (books) philosophy books; (car) 1970 Chevelle; (food) sushi; (favorite sports team other than the Titans) New York Yankees and Texas Rangers.
• His parents are Ron and Linda. He has a brother, Trevor, and a sister, Morgan.
• Born Taylor Nicholas Thompson on Oct. 19, 1989 in Plano, Texas.
