Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson will be forced into a serious leadership role this year following the sudden retirement of Luke Kuechly. Now seems like a good time to get to know Carolina’s new best-linebacker on the team.
For one, Thompson hasn’t always played the same position. Watch Thompson break down some of his best runs from high school, when he played quarterback and running back.
We did some digging and learned Thompson was indeed a prolific rusher. In his junior and senior seasons at Grant High School in Sacramento, he totaled over 3,000 yards on 284 carries and scored 40 touchdowns.
Thompson also played baseball. In his senior year, he had a .305 batting average and hit one home run.
Looking ahead, Thompson has become one of the team’s most critical pieces. In addition to having to live up to a four-year, $54 million contract extension, he’ll now likely take over as the defensive play-caller under new coordinator Phil Snow.
