Junior defensive lineman Ron Thompson will forgo his senior season to enter the NFL Draft, multiple media outlets reported on Wednesday night. ESPN’s Joe Schad was the first to report Thompson’s departure.
Last season, Thompson recorded a team-high seven sacks, tacking on four forced fumbles and 35 total tackles. The junior played defensive end this past season after briefly filling in at defensive tackle as a sophomore. He was originally recruited as a tight end and was ranked a four-star recruit by Scout.com.
The Orange’s defensive line, an already shorthanded unit, will be left even more depleted with the loss of Thompson.