Tag: James Thompson

Combat Rewind, May 31: ‘Your ear is about to fall off’

Check out the best highlights from this day in history with MMA Junkie’s “Combat Rewind.”

There’s “Flashback Friday” and “Throwback Thursday” (and Tuesday, too, if you want). But at MMA Junkie, we figured why not expand that to every day?

“Combat Rewind” brings you some of combat sports’ best highlights from every calendar day of the year. It’s a look back at history, courtesy of the UFC Fight Pass archives, featuring stellar finishes and classic moments in MMA and beyond on their anniversaries.

So kick back and relive the following bits of greatness in the video above:

  • EliteXC – Primetime: [autotag]Kimbo Slice[/autotag] vs. [autotag]James Thompson[/autotag] – May 31, 2008
  • Pancrase – Road to the Championship 1: [autotag]Toon Stelling[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Takaku Fuke[/autotag] – May 31, 1994
  • CES MMA 56: [autotag]John Gotti III[/autotag] vs. [autotag]David Espino[/autotag] – May 31, 2019
  • EliteXC – Primetime: [autotag]Matt Makowski[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Nick Serra[/autotag] – May 31, 2008
  • Pancrase – Road to the Championship 1: [autotag]Matt Hume[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Scott Bessac[/autotag] – May 31, 1994
  • XFO 51: [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Lorenzo Hood[/autotag] – May 31, 2014
  • EliteXC – Primetime: [autotag]Brett Rogers[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jon Murphy[/autotag] – May 31, 2008
  • CES MMA 56: [autotag]Nick Newell[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Antonio Castillo Jr[/autotag]. – May 31, 2019

Fight footage courtesy of UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s official digital subscription service, which is currently offering a seven-day free trial. UFC Fight Pass gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s biggest fight library.

Breaking Down Wisconsin’s 2020 Signing Class

Taking a closer look at how Wisconsin’s 2020 recruiting class breaks down by position and by state.

MADISON, Wis. – After signing 19 scholarship players and two walk-ons during the early signing period in December the Badgers saw their scholarship class officially grow to 20 players while adding four more preferred walk-ons to the program during national signing day on Wednesday. The Badgers class ranks 25th by 247 Sports, 26th by ESPN, and 27th nationally by Rivals.

Here’s an overview of the class. Click the player’s name for a more in-depth breakdowns on that specific player.

Scholarship Commits by State

Arizona (1): Malik Reed

Colorado (1): Max Lofy

Hawaii (1): Nick Herbig

Illinois (1): Dylan Barrett

Massachusetts (1): Cam Large

Michigan (1): Jordan Turner

Minnesota (2): Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

New Jersey (1): Jalen Berger

North Carolina (1): Devin Chandler

Ohio (1): James Thompson

Pennsylvania (1): Preston Zachman

Tennessee (1): Isaac Smith

Wisconsin (7): Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Cole Dakovich, Chimere Dike, Cade McDonald, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

Commits By Projected Position

QB: None

RB: Jalen Berger

WR: Devin Chandler, Chimere Dike, Isaac Smith

TE: Cole Dakovich, Cam Large

OL: Dylan Barrett, Ben Barten, Tanor Bortolini, Jack Nelson, Trey Wedig

DL: Cade McDonald, James Thompson Jr.

ILB: Malik Reed, Jordan Turner, Preston Zachman

OLB: Nick Herbig, Kaden Johnson, Aaron Witt

DB: Max Lofy

Specialists: None

UW walk-ons: Inside Linebacker Ross Gengler, Offensive Lineman Kerry Kodanko, Long Snapper Duncan McKinley, Outside Linebacker Riley Nowakowski, Offensive Lineman Sean Timmis, Kicker Jack Van Dyke

Wisconsin Signing Class Preview – James Thompson

Wisconsin received James Thompson’s national letter of intent as part of the early signing period on Wednesday.

With the early signing period for high school football players beginning on December 18, Badgers Insider takes a closer look at the recruits that signed with the Wisconsin football program.

In this edition, we examine Roger Bacon (OH) High School defensive end, James Thompson Jr..

Note: All notes and stats provided by uwbadgers.com

Thompson chose Wisconsin over other offers from: Akron, Ball State, Chattanooga, Citadel, Coastal Carolina, Eastern Kentucky, Iowa State, and Navy

Thompson’s High School Accolades: Three–star recruit by 247 Sports, ESPN and Rivals…Third–team All–Ohio as a senior in 2019…Played on offensive and defensive lines

Thompson’s Impact as a Badger: Thompson is a consensus three star prospect by both Rivals and 247 Sports but he’ll likely need time to continue to develop as a prospect before he sees regular playing time for Wisconsin.

Thompson fits what Wisconsin looks for out of their defensive ends as he’s listed at 6’4″ and 251 pounds as the Badgers typically recruit taller players at that position.

Thompson is going to need to continue to gain strength and add muscle before he’s able to see the field. The key with Thompson is being able to gain the necessary strength while maintaining his speed and athleticism.

Thompson has shown that he’s capable of creating pressure in the backfield but like any incoming freshman along the defensive line, he’ll need to continue to work on his pass rushing moves and his hand placement to allow himself the chance of winning at the point of attack.

The key to Thompson getting on the field for Wisconsin is showing that he’s able to do both consistently. In particular, being able to win at the point of attack allowing for Wisconsin’s linebackers to make plays. All of this will come with plenty of practice and repetition.

Thompson will likely redshirt this coming fall to allow himself to gain the necessary weight and become comfortable in Wisconsin’s defense. The upside is there for Thompson and if he can stay healthy as he missed most of his junior season because of a leg injury could mean good things for Wisconson’s defensive line. But it will be up to defensive line coach Inoke Breckterfield to put the physical tools that Thompson has displayed together.

As Badger fans may not hear a lot from Thompson over the next two years but if Wisconsin can develop Thompson properly his development could pay dividends for Wisconsin’s defense.