Keahnist Thompson Evaluation, First Game of 2021

UCF commitment Keahnist Thompson played his first senior game against Clearwater High School on Friday night. The talented defensive end proved why he’s a coveted recruit.

Author:
Brian Smith
Publish date:
Aug 28, 2021 9:42 AM EDT

When a defensive line prospect is well known, opposing teams often attempt to run away from that player. During Friday’s night’s contest, that’s definitely the situation that played out. Those efforts did not detour one of UCF’s top football recruits.

Effort, Hustle, and an attention to detail, those attributes should be attached to how Lakeland (Fla.) High School talent Keahnist Thompson played Friday evening. While the game plan for Clearwater appeared to be to keep Thompson, as well as fellow star defensive end Gabe Dindy, off balance with different blocking schemes, Thompson really chased plays down all night long. Here are a few points about how Thompson played and what stood out.

Bigger Than Last Season, Still Fast to the Football

Watching Thompson explode out of his stance with that long and athletic 6’4” frame made anyone take notice that paid any real attention. He hit the corner to speed rush like a 210-pound outside linebacker.

Keahnist Thompson and Gabe Dindy - Lakeland — Keahnist Thompson - Left, Gabe Dindy - Right
Brian Smith, Inside The Knights

Last season, Thompson played at roughly 245-pounds. Prior to Friday night’s game during warmups, Thompson replied, “Yeah, somewhere around there,” when asked if he was 260-pounds like he was right before fall camp began.

While the added weight would be recorded in the notes, the more important data point would be that first step. He took off, play after play, like it was the last play of the game and it was explosive! Thoroughly impressed with how a young man that size can come off the football.

Pure Hustle

Because Clearwater possessed some really good skill position players like senior Censere Lee and sophomore Jarvis Boatwright, Jr. that made plays in space, Thompson kept chasing them outside the tackle box. Despite the size difference (Lee is 150, maybe 160-pounds, and Boatwright is in the 165-pound range), Thompson played in high gear, driving his legs and playing through the whistle. Thompson even caught up with them a few times when they needed to change direction.

Thompson would appear to be clearly out of the play, but he would open up his gate and cover ground quickly. He’s an athlete that utilizes whatever skill necessary to reach the ball carrier.

Few defensive lineman possess the motor of Thompson. It’s incredible to watch play after play. Shocking, really. Despite seeing hundreds of talented defensive ends the past few years, there may not be a single defensive end that plays with more sheer effort than Thompson.

Still Grinding in the Fourth Quarter

Even when the game was well in hand at 42-19 in the fourth quarter, Thompson played just as hard as when the scoreboard showed 0 to 0. One of the reasons a scout will stay late into a game that’s been decided will be to witness the effort of a player regardless of situation.

Thompson passed with flying colors. In fact, one of his best plays transpired in the fourth quarter. With a resounding “thud” from the hit, Thompson was part of a tackle for loss where he beat his block and met the running back far short of the line of scrimmage. Thompson grinds to make plays all game long, and that’s going to aid him long-term no matter the level of football he plays.

Final Thoughts

Thompson deserves to be called a true football player. He plays with energy and effort, and utilizes his natural ability to make as many plays as possible. One cannot teach his 6’4”, 260-pound frame, and he does not allow that frame to go to waste.

The next time Inside The Knights will scout Thompson will be when Lakeland hosts fellow UCF recruit Nikai Martinez and Apopka this upcoming Oct. 8. It will be one of the state of Florida’s best games this season, and a true test for players on both sides of the football to prove their talent.

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