James Thompson Jr.
James Thompson Jr.
Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.
Career Arc
Coaching Lineage · 2021–2025
1 coachPlayed his entire career under Bret Bielema.
2025 snapshot
Season context · Team result + system
Career stats
Signature game
SIGNATURE GAME · Week 5 · 2025
W 34–32
vs USC
3 TOT · 2 SOLO · 0 SACKS
Edged out USC at home in a shootout.
How he plays
Play style
Wins his gap play after play.
CFB Index positional classification
2026 Outlook
Illinois
2026 Depth chart
Projected starter
Defensive line · Illinois
Returning around him
- 52% of 2024 offensive production back (Solid continuity)
- 3 Illinois players drafted to NFL
- Transfer portal: -8 net (19 in / 27 out)
2026 Award watch
No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)
Illinois · Last season: 9-4 (AP #23) · Talent rank #64 · 2026 recruiting class #24
DNA match
Player DNA
Two-Gap Base
Stout at the point of attack — steady tackle-for-loss production without a standout pass-rush number.
His 2025 production profile sits closest to Jarrett Jackson’s 2021 season.
Matches Jarrett on
Not enough data yet for this comparison.
As a senior, his production profile tracks closest to Dion Wilson Jr.'s senior season at New Mexico State (2023).
Matches Dion on
Differs from Dion on
Heisman trajectory
Heisman Trajectory · 2025
Peak #7579
Peaked at #7579 this season.