#16

Jaylen Thompson

DB · Memphis · So. · #16

Returning to Memphis for 2026
This season's coverage starts August 26 — check back once kickoff hits.

Jaylen Thompson

DB · Memphis · So · #16

Limited signal — not enough coverage for a story yet.

Career Arc

HS
Recruit
★★★★
#236 national
CFB
College
Michigan State
2024
NFL
NFL Draft
Not drafted (yet)

2025 snapshot

Season context · Team result + system

2024Michigan State5-7HC: Jonathan Smith · Balanced, slow tempo

Career stats

SeasonTeam
2024Michigan State17130.00.01----
Career17130.00.01----

How he plays

Play style

Moves between deep coverage and the slot.

CFB Index positional classification

2026 Outlook

Memphis

2026 Depth chart

Projected starter

Defensive back · Memphis

Returning around him

  • 12% of 2024 offensive production back (Heavy turnover)
  • 1 Memphis player drafted to NFL
  • Transfer portal: +4 net (51 in / 47 out)

2026 Award watch

No preseason watch lists yet (most drop June 15 – July 15)

Memphis · Last season: 8-5 (AP #22) · Talent rank #59 · 2026 recruiting class #72

DNA match

Player DNA

Hybrid Nickel

Moves between deep coverage and the slot — the modern positionless DB.

S

His 2024 production profile sits closest to Jaeden Gould’s 2023 season.

Jaeden Gould

90%match

Syracuse · 2023

#2

Naquan Renalds

Marshall · 2020

85%
#3

Aedan Seiuli

Nevada · 2023

80%
#4

Raider Damuni

BYU · 2023

80%
#5

KP Price

Boston College · 2023

79%

Matches Jaeden on

Height
Tackle volume
Weight

Not enough data yet for this comparison.

As a freshman, his production profile tracks closest to Cayden Bridges's freshman season at Auburn (2022).

Auburn · 2022

#2

Naquan Renalds

Marshall · 2020

85%
#3

Stratton Shufelt

UTEP · 2024

All-Conference USA
85%
#4

Vincent Nunley

Washington · 2023

85%
#5

Jaeden Gould

Syracuse · 2023

85%

Matches Cayden on

Class year
Height
PD rate

Heisman trajectory

Heisman Trajectory · 2025

Peak #13188

Final rank
#13188
Avg #13382.0
Finalist prob 0%

Peaked at #13188 this season.