LOCALS IN THE NFL

Andy Reid Loved What Thompson Did At Utah State

May 5, 2019, 10:05 PM

Darwin Thompson #5 of the Utah State Aggies scores a fourth quarter touchdown while playing the Mic...

Darwin Thompson #5 of the Utah State Aggies scores a fourth quarter touchdown while playing the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on August 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 38-31. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, Kansas – Rookie minicamp will wrap up on Monday for the Kansas City Chiefs and the organization loves what former Utah State running back Darwin Thompson can bring to the Chiefs.

Thompson was drafted in the sixth round by Kansas City after forgoing his senior season to make the early jump to the NFL.

Before minicamp started, Chiefs head coach and former BYU coach Andy Reid loved what Thompson did in Logan.

“Loved him in college,” Reid said. “He wasn’t there a long time, wasn’t there the full four years. What we saw, we sure liked. He isn’t really tall but he is put together and rocked up pretty good. He has great quickness and he has good hands,” he added.

Adjustments, Chip On Shoulder

Thompson is now making the adjustment from the college game to the professional level and knows that he has a lot to learn.

“Coaches just told me to do everything right and hustle,” Thompson said. “I am overlooked and underrated, but I am blessed to be here. It’s the perfect situation,” he added.

Someone told him back in high school that he wouldn’t be a running back because he wasn’t big enough. That is what motivated him to get stronger.

Thompson rushed for 1,044 yards and 14 touchdowns this past season.

Playing For Coach Reid

Thompson was pleased to go to the Chiefs, especially with Andy Reid at the helm. He was asked why Kansas City was the right situation for him.

“You talk about star stuck, when I met coach Reid on my visit, I said ‘man, this is a Hall of Fame coach,”’ he said. “Just to be in his system and to see what he has done with the other guys at the running back position, I am very blessed,” Thompson added.

Thompson’s quickness and strength as well as his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield could help him get immediate reps with the Chiefs.

He had 23 receptions for 351 yards and 2 touchdowns through the air in 2018.

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Andy Reid Loved What Thompson Did At Utah State