Recruit Snapshot: Kris Thompson
The opening game for Lipscomb Academy as they hosted IMG Academy showcased some of the best talent in the 2024 class as headliners. However, both teams showcased some of the nation’s best talent in the 2025 class as well. One young man that made his presence known was 2025 Lipscomb Academy linebacker Kris Thompson.
Officially on Notice
Thompson didn’t waste any time putting the country on notice about his talent. Against the Ascenders, Thompson recorded a total of 3 sacks in the game, as well as multiple quarterback hurries. Thompson is a true linebacker, but the strength of his game is as a pass rusher. He has excellent speed and acceleration for his size, 6’2” tall and 220 pounds. Thompson showed his ability to turn the corner, even on excellent tackles on the National Level. Opposing tackles have to defend their outside shoulder when facing Thompson, and at times he is still able to dip and rip under their arms and turn the corner. The explosive outside rush leaves opposing tackles vulnerable to inside moves from Thompson where his excellent hand technique and surprising strength make him equally dangerous.
A Complete Linebacker
To be clear, Thompson is an elite pass rusher. He is probably more complete, polished, and dangerous in that aspect than many highly rated defensive ends in the 2025 class. Depending on how his frame fills out over the next two years, it is likely Thompson gets some looks as a potential defensive end at the next level.
That being said, Thompson is a complete linebacker. He defends the run well, both in attacking upfield and defeating blocks like a defensive end, and also scraping and reading his keys to defend well as a linebacker. Thompson is an accomplished pass defender, good at knocking passes down and snuffing out screens and check downs. Like his running mate, Tennessee linebacker commit Edwin Spillman in the 2024 class, Thompson hits above his weight. He is much stronger than his frame would lead you to believe, and he punishes ball carriers and blockers he takes on with impressive strength and technique. Thompson has a solid resumé with several areas of excellence to his credit.
Mr. Do It All
Not only does Thompson show possible position versatility, he shows scheme versatility as well. Thompson is a good enough pass rusher to be a prized defensive end target in a 4-3 defense, an outside or even middle linebacker in a 4-3 due to his speed, coverage ability, and skill defeating blocks, or an ideal fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. That ability to fit into any defense and contribute positively impacts how Thompson grades out.
- Polished pass rusher one game into his junior campaign against one of the best offenses in America.
- Explosive out of his stance with elite closing speed.
- Hits like a runaway train. The blows this kid delivers will jar your teeth despite his size.
- Much stronger than anticipated
- Instinctive player. Knows where the ball is going and reacts to be there whether run or pass.
- Can play multiple important roles immediately in a 4-3 or 3-4 defense.
Thompson flies under the radar a bit because of the excellent players around him, especially on the Lipscomb defense, but he has come out of the gate in 2023 making a name for himself. Expect to see him rise up recruiting rankings rapidly in the 2025 class if he continues this level of exceptional play.
