2019 Mountain West Football Top 52 Players: #14, San Diego State WAR Tariq Thompson
Thompson further established himself as one of the Mountain West’s best safeties and makes our annual list for the second time.
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Thompson is well on his way to being an Aztec great.
It’s no secret that San Diego State has a lengthy track record of top-notch defensive talents, from Kirk Morrison to Jake Fely to Damontae Kazee, but the first two years of Tariq Thompson’s collegiate career might be something else entirely, which is why the junior safety is #14 on our countdown of Mountain West football’s best athletes.
Thompson was a Freshman All-American in 2017 and played even better in his second full season as a starter last fall, breaking up eight passes and collecting two interceptions. He also chipped in with 57 total tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss, contributing as much Havoc to the tough Aztecs defense as linebacker Kyahva Tezino. For his efforts, he was a second-team all-Mountain West honoree for the second season in a row.
And to think he’s still just a junior. Provided he doesn’t improve yet again and make an early jump to the NFL, the next two years could induce a lot more headaches in offensive coordinators across the conference and propel him into being one of the conference’s best-ever defenders.
