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Former Tennessee DB Bryce Thompson turns XFL success into NFL signing

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•05/16/23•

GrantRamey

Bryce Thompson
SEATTLE, WA - APRIL 23: Defensive back Bryce Thompson #1 of the Seattle Sea Dragons reacts after a play during the first half of the game against the Vegas Vipers at Lumen Field on April 23, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ali Gradischer/Getty Images)

Former Tennessee defensive back Bryce Thompson is one of 11 players that parlayed their XFL seasons into NFL signings. Thompson has signed with the Miami Dolphins after a starring for the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons.

Thompson had 34 tackles — 21 solo, 13 assists — in 10 games this season, including 0.5 sacks and four tackles for loss to go with two interceptions.

The other seven players that got NFL deals out of the XFL were defensive lineman CJ Brewer (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), safety Lukas Denis (Atlanta Falcons), quarterback Ben DiNucci (Denver Broncos), defensive lineman Austin Faoliu (Seattle Seahawks), defensive lineman Jack Heflin (New Orleans Saints), defensive lineman Antwuan Jackson (Carolina Panthers), linebacker Niko Lalos (New Orleans Saints), defensive lineman LaCale London (Atlanta Falcons), kicker John Parker Romo (Detroit Lions) and offensive lineman Barry Wesley (Atlanta Falcons).

Bryce Thompson had 100 tackles, eight interceptions in three seasons with Vols

Thompson spent three years at Tennessee, playing for the Vols from 2018-20. He had 100 total tackles over 31 games, with 8.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and eight interceptions. He had a career-best 36 tackles and added two interceptions in the COVID-shortened 10-game season in 2020. He had 32 tackles and three interceptions in 11 games as a freshman in 2018 and 32 tackles and three interceptions again in 10 games in 2019 as a sophomore.

He made the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2018 and was a Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-American. He earned an NFL Combine invitation in 2021 and later signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent.

Thompson played in eight games with the Saints over the last two NFL seasons, including six games in 2022, recording two assisted tackles.

Three former Vols played in the XFL championship game Saturday night: Tight end Alex Ellis, tight end Ethan Wolf and wide receiver JaVonta Payton. Payton’s Arlington Renegades team beat D.C. Defenders 35-26 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. 

Thompson was a four-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting class, ranked No. 289 overall in the On3 Industry Ranking. He was ranked No. 32 among corners and No. 5 out of the state of South Carolina, where he attended Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, S.C.

Five Tennessee players selected in 2023 NFL Draft

Tennessee football had five players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft: offensive lineman Darnell Wright (No. 10 overall, first round, Chicago Bears), quarterback Hendon Hooker (No. 68 overall, third round, Detroit Lions), wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (No. 73 overall, third round, New York Giants), wide receiver Cedric Tillman (No. 74 overall, third round, Cleveland Browns) and edge rusher Byron Young (No. 77 overall, third round, Los Angeles Rams). 

Five other Vols signed undrafted free agent deals: tight end/fullback Princeton Fant (Dallas Cowboys), offensive lineman Jerome Carvin (Kansas City Chiefs), linebacker Jeremy Banks (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), punter Paxton Brooks (Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans) and defensive lineman LaTrell Bumphus (New York Giants).

Two Tennessee players were drafted in Thompson’s draft class in 2021. Wide receiver Josh Palmer went in the third round to the Los Angeles Chargers at No. 77 overall and offensive lineman Trey Smith went in the sixth round to the Kansas City Chiefs at No. 226 overall. 

Smith won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs in February and has started all 33 games of his NFL career to date. Palmer has caught 105 passes for 1,122 yards and seven touchdowns in two seasons with the Chargers.

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