James Thompson: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Illinois on SI is delivering scouting reports for each of the key players on the Illini football team's 2025 roster. Below, we present our breakdown of Illini sophomore defensive lineman James Thompson Jr.

College Football News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / February 20

New Illini DE James Thompson Jr. Chose Champaign for More Than Football

When defensive end James Thompson Jr. was first approached about changing college football destinations after stepping into the transfer portal, two magic words resonated for him: fit and family.

College Football News / Illinois Fighting Illini on SI / December 28

Illinois Football Lands Highest-Rated Transfer Yet From Wisconsin Defense

Whatever is drawing defectors from Wisconsin's defense south to Champaign also got to James Thompson Jr. – and it may be the biggest transfer-portal coup for Illinois yet.

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Wisconsin Badgers News / WI Sports Heroics / December 27

Wisconsin Badgers Football Lose Another Former Player to Big 10 Rival; Team Receives Much-Needed Boost After Signing of 3-Star Recruit

It is one thing when your best players leave you. It is another when they leave you for your rivals. That is what Wisconsin Badgers football is going through right now.

College Football News / Bucky's 5th Quarter / December 26

Former Badgers DL James Thompson Jr. transfers to Illinois

Several Badgers defenders are heading to a rival Big Ten school next season. The Wisconsin Badgers have lost 25 players to the transfer portal this offseason, seeing some attrition, especially along the defensive line.

College Football News / A to Z Sports / December 13

Transfer defensive lineman announces he plans to visit the Tennessee Vols

The Tennessee Vols will receive a visit this weekend from a Big 10 defensive lineman that recently entered the NCAA transfer portal. Wisconsin transfer

College Football News / Athlon Sports / December 13

Wisconsin Badgers Transfer Defensive Lineman Visiting Big Ten Rival

The Wisconsin Badgers football program is navigating some significant changes to its defensive line room this offseason. Former starter James Thompson Jr.

College Football News / Pack Insider / December 10

NC State Offers Wisconsin Defensive End Transfer James Thompson Jr.

Yesterday, when the Transfer Portal opened, NC State offered Wisconsin Defensive End Transfer James Thompson. Jr. (6’5″/295). Thompson practically missed the entire 2024 season due to a torn pectoral muscle.

Arkansas Razorbacks News / Arkansas Razorbacks on SI / December 9

Razorbacks Make Offer to NFL Prospect in Transfer Portal

Arkansas will be fighting the Texas Tech Red Raiders for more than just the Liberty Bowl championship that'll be played Dec. 27 in Memphis. The Razorbacks and Red Raiders are also involved in the battle for a Wisconsin defensive lineman who entered the transfer portal four days ago.

Wisconsin Badgers News / Bucky's 5th Quarter / December 4

Badgers top defensive lineman James Thompson Jr. to enter the transfer portal

The Badgers are losing their star defensive lineman for his final year of eligibility. In a stunning move, the Wisconsin Badgers are losing star defensive lineman James Thompson Jr.

College Football News / Bucky's 5th Quarter / August 30

Wisconsin Badgers vs. Western Michigan Broncos: Injury Report

Who will be missing the Badgers season opener? The Wisconsin Badgers are set to face off against the Western Michigan Broncos in the season opener at Camp Randall Stadium, with kickoff slated for 8 P.M.

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Wisconsin Badgers News / Bucky's 5th Quarter / August 27

What’s the Badgers plan at defensive line without James Thompson?

The Badgers likely lost their top defensive lineman for the season last week. The Wisconsin Badgers got some brutal news ahead of the season, as head coach Luke Fickell revealed that James Thompson Jr.

Wisconsin Badgers News / Bucky's 5th Quarter / August 26

Badgers provide injury update on starting DL James Thompson

Things do not look good for the Badgers defensive lineman. The Wisconsin Badgers faced some unfortunate injury news last week, as starting defensive lineman James Thompson suffered a major injury, placing his 2024 season into question.