elite left tackle talent, but 2026 is a rehab year
Thompson arrived at South Carolina as a five-star-level offensive tackle with rare size, length and movement ability for the position, and he already proved he could handle left tackle as a true freshman and returning starter. The big differentiator: he’s more of a long-term NFL-style pass protector than a plug-and-play mauler, with scouts praising his explosive first step, mirror skills and block-finishing edge. The catch is health—multiple reports in 2026 said a lower-body issue and surgery would keep him out for the season, so his fit is about future upside, not immediate availability.
