Whether it be on offense, defense, or special teams, SU’s three commits this week are likely to pack a punch. After landing a punter/kicker and offensive tackle, Syracuse added to its 2020 commits on Friday when 3-star linebacker Stefon Thompson committed. June and July camps often lead to commitments, and the Orange’s camps are clearly paying off. So let’s delve into what Thompson brings to the squad.
Thompson also held offers from Wisconsin, Colorado State, Appalachian State, Western Kentucky, Ohio, and others. He becomes SU’s eighth commit of the cycle, but just the third defensive commit. Syracuse’s other two defensive commits are both defensive ends, so nabbing a player to play at the second level is a big deal. After last year’s plethora of linebacker commits, the position isn’t a big need. Now with Thompson on board, Dino Babers and his staff can spend even more time on other positions.
Meanwhile Babers’ most recent commit is a six-foot tall 220 pound menace who seems to think of these power cleans as light work:
Easy work!!! #Vancetough @S_Thompson000 @VanceCougarsFB pic.twitter.com/0fhdV3wqeN
— Coach Ferebee (@CoachFerb) June 12, 2019
Besides his likely absurd quads, the North Carolinian is solid dropping back into coverage, and is comfortable in zone or man. He’s also very quick off the edge, and shows his ability to dip his shoulder around a tackle, and then catch up and take down a quarterback on the run. He seems to have a high IQ and is always reading the QB’s eyes, even when he’s rushing off the edge. In his tape, he shows he makes sure to get his hands up and deflects passes.
Like many freshman, he may get his first crack at playing time on special teams, especially considering the talent SU brought in at linebacker in the 2019 class. But his tape shows he is very capable at filling his lane and finding the ball carrier.
https://www.hudl.com/video/3/8364906/5c173c79ab92a911a46d015a
