Nacogdoches Defensive Back Josh Thompson Receives First Offer From SMU

Nacogdoches' streak of producing highly regarded defensive backs will last at least one more season.

Dragons cornerback Josh Thompson was awarded his very first college football scholarship opportunity Monday by SMU. He confirmed the news to ETSN.fm.

Thompson (6-0, 170) is the 13th East Texas junior to hold at least one scholarship from an FBS program and is on track to be the fourth college bound defensive back from Nacogdoches High School in a three-year span. He will follow in Brandon Jones, Corey Lane and Jaylon Lane's footsteps.

Jaylon Lane and Jones led their respective 2015 and 2016 recruiting classes within the region in terms of most FBS offers.

Jaylon Lane played junior college football at Jones County Community College in Mississippi this past season as a safety and recently found an FBS home at UTSA after an off-field incident in high school voided his commitment to Oklahoma State. Jones, a consensus blue chip safety prospect, signed with Texas last month and will join the Longhorns' program this summer.

Corey Lane, a fellow safety, joined Jones in 2016 signing day ceremonies and inked with Navarro College of the NJCAA.

Thompson's recruitment isn't SMU's first rodeo in East Texas. The Mustangs program landed Waskom athletes Chan Amie and Kevin Johnson plus Van running back Aphonso Thomas under head coach Chad Morris through his first two recruiting cycles and one season on the job.

SMU is playing aggressively with East Texas' 2017 recruiting class. With Thompson's invitation, the program now has nine standing offers out for local prospects.

Henderson receiver Trestan Ebner is the sole local player committed to the Mustangs at this point in time, but six of the remaining eight players the program wants are currently uncommitted.

Thompson recorded nine pass breakups, intercepted a pass and recorded 33 tackles through Nacogdoches' 10-game season. He also caught 10 passes for 152 offensive yards.

The Dragons missed the postseason after finishing in a three-team tie for fourth place in District 16-5A with Lindale and Corsicana. Lindale won the league's fourth and final playoff berth on tiebreakers.

Thompson, like all high school football players currently in their junior year, will become eligible to sign with any school that offers him next February.

2017 East Texas Football Players With Division I FBS Offers

• Judah Bell, Tyler Bishop Gorman, WR, 6-3, 180 — offers from Bowling Green, Houston, SMU, ULL (4)
• 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 — committed to SMU; additional offers from Arkansas, Kansas (3)
• Montrell Estell, Hooks, WR, 6-2, 180 — offers from Arizona State, Arkansas, Kansas, Notre Dame, SMU, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas State, Texas Tech, Tulane (10)
• Octavius Evans, Center, WR, 6-2, 186 — offers from Louisiana Tech, Mississippi State, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas State, ULL (6)
• Jordan Johnson, Hooks, ATH, 6-0, 195 — offer from Air Force (1)
• Kayce Medlock, Arp, ATH, 5-9, 186 — offers from SMU, Tulane, ULL (3)
• Damion Miller, John Tyler, WR, 6-1, 189 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Houston, Kansas, North Texas, Oklahoma State; Ole Miss; SMU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech (9)
• LaMarcus Morton, Gilmer, WR, 6-2, 175 — offer from Arkansas State, Tulsa (2)
• Javontavius Mosley, John Tyler, CB, 6-1, 170 — offers from Houston, SMU, Texas State, ULL, UTSA (5)
• Bryson Smith, John Tyler, ATH, 5-11, 160 — offers from Bowling Green, Houston, New Mexico, North Texas, SMU, Texas State, ULL (7)
• Major Tennison, Bullard, TE, 6-6, 248 — committed to Texas; additional offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, SMU, Texas Tech (8)
• Josh Thompson, Nacogdoches, CB, 6-0, 170 — offer from SMU (1)