Tag: Bryce Thompson

2022 aggregate NBA mock draft: Debut ranking of all notable prospects

The 2021 NBA draft class finished their first go-around in the summer league, which means evaluators are fully focused on next year’s class.

The 2021 NBA draft class finished their first go-around in the summer league, which means evaluators are fully focused on next year’s class.

In order to help us get a better sense of where all of the projected top prospects in the class stand as of right now, we compiled mock drafts from Bleacher Report, Yahoo, The Athletic, Yahoo, SB Nation, NBADraft.net, CBS Sports, and USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s For The Win.

Please note that these rankings reflect the composite score to get a feel for consensus, not our own opinion.

Collegiate teams who had more than two players appear on a mock were Auburn, Baylor, Duke, Kentucky, Michigan, Tennessee and UCLA. Three players will be on the G League’s Ignite roster and one is on Overtime’s Elite squad.

Additionally, seven players are rostered in Spain and four are playing in Australia’s NBL. There are also three players on Serbia’s KK Mega Basket included.

Freshmen one-and-done candidates who didn’t make the list but could climb on to join during the season: Harrison Ingram (Stanford), Trevor Keels (Duke), Bryce McGowens (Nebraska), Josh Minott (Memphis), Kowacie Reeves (Florida), Bryce Hopkins (Kentucky), Nathan Bittle (Oregon) and Jeremy Sochan (Baylor).

Some of the most notable collegiate returners who were snubbed from these rankings: Marcus Williams (Texas A&M), Jonathan Davis (Wisconsin), Kofi Cockburn (Illinois), Zach Edey (Purdue), Adam Miller (LSU), Colin Castleton (Florida) and Tyson Etienne (Wichita State).

Relevant international prospects to know who were not included below: Fedor Zugic, Lefteris Mantzoukas, Jayson Tchicamboud, Nikita Mikhailovskii, Yoan Makoundou, Tom Digbeu and Makur Maker.

Otherwise, you can learn the latest updates on every single prospect who has been included in recent mock drafts by scrolling below.

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

Main Image: Coley Cleary / USA TODAY Sports Media Group

KeiVarae Russell returns to Saints practice, rookie Bryce Thompson waived

The New Orleans Saints welcomed CB KeiVarae Russell back to practice from COVID-19 reserve, while rookie safety Bryce Thompson was waived:

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

We’ve got to take the latest news out of New Orleans Saints practice with the good and the bad. Let’s start with the positive: backup cornerback KeiVarae Russell made his return from the COVID-19 reserve list after spending two weeks out of action (he hadn’t been spotted at practice since Aug. 9), adding some much-needed competition to the bottom of the depth chart and on the special teams units.

However, the Saints lost a promising rookie. Sean Payton announced after practice that rookie safety Bryce Thompson was waived with an injury designation after getting hurt in Monday’s preseason game with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’ll revert to injured reserve upon clearing waivers, so his year is done. We’ll see if the Saints release him with an injury settlement or hang onto him for another run next year, as they’ve done so far with rookie tight end Dylan Soehner.

We’ll see what other roster moves the Saints have in store once the daily NFL transactions wire updates Thursday afternoon. They tried out five free agents on Wednesday (three tight ends and two defensive linemen) but it hasn’t been reported yet whether any of them were signed. And we aren’t out of the woods yet with the kicker situation after Aldrick Rosas shanked an extra-point attempt against Jacksonville. Keep an eye out for any changes.

[lawrence-newsletter]

Tennessee football: Players who wore No. 0

UT football players to wear No. 0.

The NCAA allowed college football teams to issue No. 0 for the first time in 2020.

During its first season in circulation, No. 0 was largely won by skill players including wide receivers and defensive backs.

Tennessee issued the number to junior defensive back Bryce Thompson.

Thompson will not return to the Volunteers in 2021 as he signed with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.

Last season, Thompson switched to No. 0 after wearing No. 20 during his first two seasons on Rocky Top.

Thompson, a three-year letterman for the Vols, played 32 career games at UT and made 28 starts.

He tied a single-game school record with three interceptions against UAB in 2019.

Thompson was a member of the Southeastern Conference’s All-Freshman Team in 2018 and was a FWAA Freshman All-America standout.

[vertical-gallery id=31910]

2021 NFL draft: Trio of former Vols ranked as top 300 prospects

2021 NFL draft: Trio of former Vols ranked as top 300 prospects

The 2021 NFL draft will take place April 29-May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Draft Wire released its big board with round-by-round grades for 300 players.

A trio of former Vols are listed. Below is a look at where they are listed as top 300 players in the 2021 NFL draft.

Rankings are based on grades from a macro level, which means they are likely to vary in many ways from individual team boards that have to take different team-specific variables into account (scheme, position needs, philosophy, medical evaluations by team doctors, private interviews with prospects, etc.).

Tennessee defensive back declares for 2021 NFL draft

The 2021 NFL draft will take place April 29-May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The 2021 NFL draft will take place April 29-May 1 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Tennessee junior defensive back Bryce Thompson announced Tuesday that he has declared for the 2021 NFL draft.

“After talking to my family and coaches, I have decided to forgo my senior year and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft,” Thompson said in an Instagram post.

KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 29, 2020 – Wide receiver Malachi Wideman #13 and Defensive back Bryce Thompson #0 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Kate Luffman/Tennessee Athletics

Thompson appeared in 32 games since 2018 for the Vols.

He totaled 102 tackles, two sacks, eight interceptions, 19 pass deflections, forced two fumbles and recovered one during his Tennessee career.

[vertical-gallery id=31910]

Vols’ projected 2021 defensive depth chart 2.0

2021 Tennessee Vols’ projected football depth chart.

Tennessee (3-7, 3-7 SEC) concluded the 2020 10-game, SEC-only regular season Dec. 19.

The Vols accepted an invitation to play West Virginia in the Liberty Bowl, but did not take part due to COVID-19 issues.

Ahead of spring practices and the 2021 season, which is scheduled to start Sept. 4 against Bowling Green at Neyland Stadium, Vols Wire takes a look at Tennessee’s projected defensive depth chart.

Projections are based off returning players, early signing period signees and 2020 seniors that can compete with an extra year of eligibility due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The defensive 2.0 projection follows Bryce Thompson declaring for the 2021 NFL draft.

NEXT: Tennessee’s 2021 defensive depth chart projection

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4

2021 aggregate NBA mock draft 2.0: How has the NCAA season changed rankings?

Now that the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball season is underway, we are getting a more clear picture of the top prospects in the upcoming class.

Now that the 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball season is underway, we are getting a more clear picture of the top prospects in the upcoming class.

Former top recruits like Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs have made a great first impression and have confirmed why many already feel they are going to be solid future professionals in the NBA.

Of course, considering the unusual nature of the college basketball season, some players are struggling a bit more than others. The performance on the court will likely stray closer to the mean with a larger sample size as the year continues.

But to get a better sense of where everyone stands right now, we compiled mock drafts from ESPN, NBADraft.net, CBS Sports, Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, The Athletic and USA TODAY Sports Media Group’s For The Win to see where the prospects rank at the moment.

We highlighted the prospects who have been the biggest risers since we published our last edition of this exercise.

College basketball standouts who have most drastically improved their draft stock through the early parts of the season include Keon Johnson (Tennessee), James Bouknight (UCONN), Jared Butler (Baylor), Corey Kispert (Gonzaga), Day’Ron Sharpe (UNC), Aaron Henry (Michigan State), Ayo Dosunmu (Illinois), Marcus Bagley (Arizona State), Moussa Cisse (Memphis), Charles Bassey (Western Kentucky), Jason Preston (Ohio) and Luka Garza (Iowa).

Below are the rankings based on the latest mock drafts from top analysts and experts:

HoopsHype’s Alberto de Roa contributed research to this report

Bryce Thompson named Co-Defensive Player of the Week

UT’s Bryce Thompson named SEC’s Co-Defensive Player of the Week.

[jwplayer x9rc0u99-er0jUifI]

University of Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson was named Southeastern Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against Vanderbilt.

Thompson returned an interception for a touchdown in the Volunteers’ 42-17 victory at Vanderbilt.

His return gave the Vols a 10-7 lead and changed the complexion of the game, which snapped the Big Orange’s six-game losing streak.

The win was UT’s first since it beat Missouri in the first week of October at Neyland Stadium.

KNOXVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 08, 2020 – Defensive back Bryce Thompson #0 of the Tennessee Volunteers during practice on the Robert E. White indoor field in the Anderson Training Center in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics

Thompson has eight career interceptions and a pair of forced fumbles in his career on Rocky Top.

He was named Co-Defensive Player of the Week along with Georgia’s Eric Stokes, who also plays defensive back.

[vertical-gallery id=32626]

Steve Kiner discusses Tennessee closing the gap with Alabama, Vols’ team leadership

Steve Kiner discusses Tennessee closing the gap with Alabama, Vols’ team leadership.

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee enters an off week following a 48-17 loss to Alabama.

The Vols will return to action Nov. 7 at Arkansas.

Following Tennessee’s loss to Alabama, third-year UT head coach Jeremy Pruitt mentioned that the gap is closing to compete with programs such as the Crimson Tide.

“I was here three years ago when I walked in the room the first day. I know the people that are on their sideline and I know the people that are on our sideline. I think I’ve got a pretty good idea and have been around some pretty good football teams to know when I see one and know when one is getting closer.” — Jeremy Pruitt on why he believes the gap is closing between Tennessee and Alabama.

Junior defensive back Bryce Thompson also discussed the direction of the program after losing to Alabama, saying that the team is lacking leadership.

College Football Hall of Fame and former Tennessee linebacker Steve Kiner discussed the Vols’ program after five games this season and heading into an open date. He played for the Vols from 1967-69 under head coach Doug Dickey and alongside teammate Phillip Fulmer.

Kiner told Vols Wire that Pruitt’s mentality of Tennessee’s program closing the gap with the likes of Alabama “is a smart way to look at it.”

“Phillip is not used to being a second tier team,” Kiner said of Fulmer who is in his third year as Tennessee’s Director of Athletics. “He is used to at least competing for a championship.”

In order for Tennessee to take the next step in competing for championships, as Pruitt continues to field players from the recruiting trail to close a gap with Alabama from a talent standpoint, Kiner understands leadership needs to be at the forefront.

“It is a team sport and not an individual thing,” Kiner said. “The quarterback is usually one of the team leaders and there is usually someone on the defensive side of the ball, whether it is a defensive back, linebacker or defensive lineman. There is usually someone that sets the bar. They are not playing as a team.

“The thing we did that was a consensus mindset was that the best player on the field is the guy that is lined up next to you. That’s how you play. You always play up to the level of the person lined up next to you. That worked real well. That was one of Dickey’s ideas of how you are supposed to play the game. If the guy is not playing up to the level that you expect him to play, you would tell them to get it together. Dickey has an old adage that he used to say about having to rise to the occasion. When it’s all said and done you have to play up to the level of whoever you are playing if you want to have any kind of chance of having a great season.”

Jeremy Pruitt discusses Vols’ secondary group ahead of Missouri game

Jeremy Pruitt discusses Vols’ secondary group ahead of Missouri game.

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee (1-0, 1-0 SEC) will host Missouri (0-1, 0-1 SEC) in Week 2 of the 2020 season Saturday at Neyland Stadium (noon EDT, SEC Network).

In the Vols’ 31-27 victory at South Carolina in Week 1, Tennessee saw its starting STAR defender Shawn Shamburger out, while cornerback Warren Burrell and safety Jaylen McCollough were limited.

“We had three guys that were out for most of our preparation last week, we’ve got two of them back, so that will be a positive in having Jaylen and Warren Burrell back,” Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt said ahead of playing Missouri. “It gets guys used to where they’re playing some of the same spots.

“Until you play in live settings, which Tank (McCollough) got to do and Warren did a little bit last week, got to be in tackling space, got to play the ball, got to be able to play man-to-man, got to be able to make calls as they give you different formations and stuff. I’m sure these guys, like I, hope the rest of the secondary does, I hope we continue to work hard and improve — and as the game goes Saturday, we get better as the game goes.”

Pruitt also mentioned that “if everything works out” someone like Shamburger could be “back very soon.”

Last week, Bryce Thompson started at safety and played the Vols’ robber position.

“Bryce is a guy that has been in our system for a couple of years,” Pruitt said. “From a conceptual standpoint, we just felt like that was the best thing to do.”

[vertical-gallery id=27881]