Colorado State is joining the Big 12 after all. Well, one of their players might be, anyway.
Deron Thompson left Colorado State last week and, according to a Wichita sports reporter on Twitter, is likely transferring to KU.
Deron Thompson (@deronTHETRUTH20) is transferring to @KU_Football from Colorado St, according to his dad. #kufball pic.twitter.com/nrHRdwjrDW
— Will Kunkel (@KWCHWill) May 20, 2016
Even Jesse Newell got in on the action:
Prepped in Wichita. https://t.co/SDwXBe7FaQ
— Jesse Newell (@jessenewell) May 21, 2016
Newell is correct in that Thompson was recruited out of Wichita Northwest High School, a three-star RB prospect by Rivals and 247Sports. Listed at 5'10", 175 lbs, he chose CSU over offers from Minnesota, Army, Idaho, Kansas State, and Western Michigan.
Thompson, who would be a junior in 2016, played sparingly in his first two years at CSU, totaling 135 yards on 30 carries. In 2015, he only played in two games after many expected him to compete for the #1 spot on the depth chart.
According to this article from The Coloradoan, Thompson is looking for more playing time, as CSU looks loaded at running back. From The Coloradoan:
"Nothing against Coach (Mike) Bobo or anything, I like him, I just felt like I never got the opportunity I deserved. I only had seven carries this season and they were basically all in one game," Thompson said. "Every day in practice, I showed I deserved to play and needed to play. It just didn’t seem like it was ever a priority to get me on the field. I never was late to meetings, never was in trouble, never failed a drug test. I did everything I was asked and felt I was as good as anyone else out there."
Thompson also runs track at CSU, competing in the 100 and 200-meter sprints.
— Deron Thompson (@deronTHETRUTH20) May 16, 2016
He has reportedly been clocked as fast as a 4.33 40-yard dash.
Thompson will most likely have to sit out the 2016 in accordance with NCAA transfer rules, unless they can find some kind of hardship waiver of some sort. This would make him a redshirt junior in 2017 with two years of eligibility remaining.
With David Beaty bringing the "Air Raid" offense to Lawrence, the Jayhawks are getting thin at RB and could likely use Thompson's services as soon as possible. Here are the current RBs listed on the KU roster, from KUAthetlics.com:
SR - Ke'aun Kinner, J.J. Jolaoso
JR - James Sullivan
SO - Taylor Martin, Reese Randall, Ryan Schadler
The original report that Thompson was leaving CSU indicated that he was looking primarily at KU and K-State, so until something official comes from Thompson himself, this could all change.
* Editor's Note: On Saturday, The Coloradoan reported that Thompson has decided on KU.
So, Deron, welcome to Mount Oread, and Rock Chalk!