Colorado State Offers Nacogdoches Defensive Back Josh Thompson

Colorado State extended its third college football scholarship opportunity to a local player Tuesday.

Nacogdoches defensive back Josh Thompson, who first announced the news through his personal Twitter account, has joined Gilmer receiver LaMarcus Morton and Henderson receiver Trestan Ebner on the Rams' big board.

Thompson (6-0, 180) now has 13 FBS offers, which makes him the second-most popular East Texas player in sheer volume of invitations among the local Class of 2017. The Nacogdoches prospect trails Ebner and his 15 FBS opportunities.

Colorado State followed in the footsteps of some of its regional recruiting rivals. Utah, Washington State and Wyoming also want Thompson.

Head coach Mike Bobo's first season in Fort Collins, Colo., was really a tale of two different seasons. His team won its final four games of the 2015 campaign following a 3-4 start to clinch a bowl appearance.

The Rams’ year ended with a 28-23 loss to fellow Mountain Conference foe Nevada in the Arizona Bowl for a 7-6 final record.

Bobo joined Colorado State from Georgia, his alma mater. He was Georgia’s quarterbacks coach for 13 years and simultaneously held the title of offensive coordinator from 2007 through his departure date.

Notable alumni that worked directly under Bobo, a former Georgia quarterback himself in the 1990s, were quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Aaron Murray.

Colorado State will try for a fourth straight bowl appearance during the 2016 season.

Thompson recorded nine pass breakups, intercepted a pass and recorded 33 tackles through Nacogdoches’ 10-game season last fall. He also caught 10 passes for 152 yards as a receiver.

Nacogdoches finished its year in a three-team tie for the fourth and final playoff spot out of District 16-5A. Point differential against the other teams involved allowed Lindale to advance in favor of Nacogdoches and Corsicana.

Thompson is the fourth Nacogdoches defensive back in a three-year span to have an opportunity to play college football.

Jaylon Lane started the trend as the local Class of 2015’s scholarship leader before an off-the-field incident led him to junior college.

Brandon Jones and Corey Lane signed with Texas and Navarro College, respectively, earlier this year. Both will graduate high school in May and immediately report to their new programs.

Thompson, who will attend the ETSN + APEC Football Recruiting Combine on Sunday, will become eligible to sign with any program that offers him in February.

2017 East Texas Football Players With Division I FBS Offers

• Judah Bell, Tyler Bishop Gorman, WR, 6-3, 180 — offers from Bowling Green, Coastal Carolina, Houston, Kansas, Memphis, Navy, North Texas, SMU, ULL, ULM, UTSA, Wyoming (12)
• Noah Bush, Athens, LB, 6-2, 225 — offer from Army (1)
• Lagaryonn Carson, Liberty-Eylau, DE, 6-4, 261 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Baylor, North Texas, Oklahoma, TCU, Tennessee, Texas A&M (9)
• Trestan Ebner, Henderson, WR, 5-11, 180 — offers from Arkansas, Arkansas State, Colorado State, Houston, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, North Texas, Ole Miss, SMU, Syracuse, UTSA, TCU, Tulsa (15)
• Montrell Estell, Hooks, WR/DB, 6-2, 180 — offers from Alabama, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, Kansas, Notre Dame, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, Tulane (12)
• Octavius Evans, Center, WR, 6-2, 186 — offers from Indiana, Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas State, ULL (7)
• Ted Fuller, Harleton, RB, 5-11, 195 — offer from ULM (1)
• Austin Hawley, Gladewater, DB, 6-1, 200 — offer from ULM (1)
• Kollin Hurt, Gilmer, DB, 6-3, 175 — offer from ULM (1)
• Jordan Johnson, Hooks, ATH, 6-0, 195 — committed to Air Force (1)
• Kayce Medlock, Arp, ATH, 5-9, 186 — offers from Army, Colorado, Navy, SMU, Tulane, ULL (6)
• Damion Miller, John Tyler, WR, 6-1, 189 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Baylor, Houston, Kansas, Missouri, North Texas, Oklahoma State; Ole Miss; SMU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech (11)
• LaMarcus Morton, Gilmer, WR, 6-2, 175 — offers from Arkansas State, Colorado State, Indiana, Texas Tech, Tulsa, ULL, ULM, UTSA (8)
• Javontavius Mosley, John Tyler, CB, 6-1, 170 — offers from Arkansas State, Houston, North Texas, SMU, Texas State, ULL, ULM, UTSA (8)
• Dhailon Phillips, Lufkin, WR, 6-3, 195 — offer from Texas State (1)
• Kordell Rodgers, Lufkin, QB/ATH, 5-10, 165 — offers from Texas State, ULM (2)
• Bryson Smith, John Tyler, QB/ATH, 6-0, 170 — offers from Arkansas State, Bowling Green, Houston, New Mexico, North Texas, Purdue, SMU, Texas State, Tulane, ULL, ULM, UTSA (12)
• Major Tennison, Bullard, TE, 6-6, 248 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas Tech (12)
• Josh Thompson, Nacogdoches, CB, 6-0, 180 — offered by Arkansas State, Colorado State, Louisiana Tech, Minnesota, Ohio, SMU, Texas State, Tulane, ULM, Utah, UTSA, Washington State, Wyoming (13)
• Traveion Webster, Longview, S, 6-0, 197 — offered by ULM (1)