Ourlads' Profile:
2026 Guide: What Ourlads’ NFL Scouting Services said about JAMES THOMPSON JR.:
Illinois | Hometown: Cincinnati, OH | HT: 6052 | WT: 301 | 40 time: 5.15 | Hand: 0938 | Arm: 3200 | Wing: 7934
Three-year starter. Transfer from Wisconsin prior to the 2025 season. Honorable mention All-Big 10 this past season. Versatility to play all over the interior. Huge frame with bulging muscles and quality length. Beats angle blocks on stretch plays with a quick first step and play recognition. Excellent pop in his initial punch matched with a long-arm to back linemen into the backfield. Shoves linemen into open gaps to close off lanes. Has shown he can extend and shuck linemen into the dirt with one quick motion. Decent snatch with a quick arm-over to defeat linemen and attack runners inside. Keeps his feet moving on contact and uses upper body strength and power to split double teams. Surprising twitch for his size to cross-face instantly and insert himself into gaps. Best in run support as a two-gapper who uses his tree trunk legs and sheer strength to hold his own and vision the backfield for threats. Anchors his weight well against base blocks to hold a point with authority. Redirects well to turn and get upfield. Ascending pass rusher with room to improve. Utilizes a number of moves to win, especially his swim move using his height and length. Active hands keep blockers guessing. Wins with tenacious effort. Gets his arms up and attempts to swat passes out of the air when his pass rush stalls. Consistent high pad level causes leverage issues. Gets turned sideways and shows difficulty penetrating gaps. Must learn to take on double teams better; when he doesn't split, second blockers can shove him off his point and wash him out. Bull rush can stall out with high pads.
2025 Stats: 41 T, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 PBU, 2 QBH. Draft projection: 7th round/PFA