The Washington Huskies needed plenty of experience and athleticism at defensive tackle to prepare for their second Big Ten campaign in 2025, and that’s exactly what they’ve found in Anterio Thompson. The 6-foot-3, 293-pound transfer from Western Michigan took to Instagram early Monday morning to announce his commitment to coach Jedd Fisch’s team and return to the conference.
Thompson began his career at Iowa Western Community College in 2022 before transferring to Iowa for the 2023 season, where he was a major factor on special teams, blocking two punts in his only season with the Hawkeyes. He showed off impressive athleticism and all the necessary traits of a Power 4 defensive tackle, playing in seven games for coach Kirk Ferentz’s team.
However, despite showing that upside, he chose to transfer to Western Michigan ahead of 2024. During his one season with the Broncos, Thompson accrued 34 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 pass breakups before opting to enter the transfer portal again.
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Now as a member of the Huskies, he should be expected to provide some much-needed depth at defensive tackle. After Washington lost defensive tackle Jayvon Parker to a torn Achilles tendon, Steve Belichick’s defense failed to get any major push from the interior when opposing quarterbacks dropped back to pass, but Thompson has the ability to fix that.
The burst he’s shown on special teams and during his time at Western Michigan should translate well to defensive line coach Jason Kaufusi’s front, where he should be expected to add as a key piece of Washington’s rotation at the position.
With his commitment, he becomes the third player to join Fisch’s transfer portal class, joining offensive linemen Geirean Hatchett and Carver Willis, and is expected to be one of at least two or three defensive tackles to make their way to Montlake from the portal.
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