Jalen Thompson

Jalen Thompson Bio

Jalen Thompson is an American professional football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). Born on July 18, 1998, in Compton, California, he played college football for the Washington State Cougars and was picked by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL supplemental draft. Thompson’s athleticism and skills have set him apart, contributing to his successful career as a safety. He is recognized for his strong defensive plays and his performance in both regular season games and playoffs.

Early Life and Background

Jalen Thompson was born and raised in Compton, California. He initially attended La Serna High School, where he earned honorable mention All-San Gabriel Valley League honors as a sophomore, contributing to the Lancers’ CIF Southern Section title in 2013. After his sophomore year, he transferred to Downey High School, where he played both wide receiver and cornerback. During his junior and senior seasons, he was named All-CIF and All-San Gabriel Valley League. In his senior year, Thompson intercepted five passes and averaged 20.2 yards per reception, earning a spot on the All-Area Dream Team by the Long Beach Press-Telegram. He was rated a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals, and Scout, ranking as the No. 56 cornerback nationally by ESPN.com. Ultimately, he committed to play college football at Washington State over offers from several other schools.

Path to American Football

Jalen Thompson entered Washington State University as an early enrollee, participating in the Cougars’ spring practices. He quickly established himself as a key player, being named the starting strong safety for his freshman season. Thompson’s impressive performance earned him recognition as a True Freshman All-American by ESPN, as he recorded 51 tackles and seven pass breakups in 13 games. In his sophomore year, he led the team with 73 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, and was named second-team All-Pac-12 Conference and first-team all-conference by the Associated Press. His junior season saw him on the Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist, where he recorded 67 tackles, two interceptions, and eight passes broken up. Unfortunately, he lost his final season of eligibility due to a violation of NCAA rules related to an over-the-counter supplement.

Jalen Thompson Career

Early Career (2019-2020)

Jalen Thompson declared for the 2019 NFL supplemental draft after losing his final year of collegiate eligibility. On July 10, 2019, the Arizona Cardinals selected him with a fifth-round pick, making him the only player chosen in that year’s supplemental draft. He signed a four-year contract with the Cardinals shortly after. Thompson made his professional debut on September 8, 2019, playing on special teams. He earned his first career start on October 6, 2019, and finished his rookie season with 57 combined tackles and one interception in 15 games.

Breakthrough (2021-2022)

In 2021, Thompson solidified his role as a starting safety for the Arizona Cardinals, finishing the season with a career-high 121 combined tackles and three interceptions. His performance helped the Cardinals clinch a playoff berth. In 2022, he signed a three-year contract extension worth $36 million, including significant guarantees. Thompson continued to excel, starting all 17 games and recording 110 combined tackles, one interception, and eight pass deflections.

Notable Works and Milestones

Jalen Thompson’s signature work includes his standout performances during the 2021 and 2022 NFL seasons, where he achieved career highs in tackles and interceptions. He has been recognized for his strong defensive skills, contributing significantly to the Arizona Cardinals’ defensive lineup.

Jalen Thompson Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Jalen Thompson has received recognition for his performances, including being named second-team All-Pac-12 in 2017 during his college career.