What jumps out with Aidan Thompson Aidan Thompson 6'2" | 265 lbs | DL Liberty | 2028 State AZ is how easy he moves for his size. Interior guys aren’t supposed to be that quick laterally, but he is, and it shows up right away. Guards think they’re set and he’s already crossing their face or working into space they can’t recover to. It’s not just quick feet, either. There’s some real substance to his game. He keeps his eyes on the ball through traffic, doesn’t get lost in the wash, and that’s a big deal for a young interior player. When he finds it, he takes them down with some pop and finishes with intent. You can tell he wants ballcarriers to feel him. The other part I liked is that the movement doesn’t come at the expense of strength. He can sit down, play with leverage, and hold up through tougher reps, even when there’s extra attention on him. There’s a plan to how he rushes, and then he hits you with that short-area burst, and the plan becomes, “see ball get ball”. Put it all together and you get a really intriguing prospect that’d I’d be keeping a close eye on. He’s already a problem inside, and with how he moves and competes, the arrow’s clearly pointing up.

Thompson is a high-upside interior DL prospect at 6’2” 255 lbs. He brings a strong combination of leverage, motor, and raw power to the LOS. He plays low and explosive off the snap, using his compact build and natural strength to gain positional leverage and collapse the pocket from the inside. Quick with his hands and active with his feet, he sheds blocks effectively and is able to lock out opponents to maintain separation. Against the run, he holds his ground well and uses solid pad level to anchor and clog interior gaps. High effort player that chases hard in pursuit. Comes in ranked #16 overall and is the third ranked defensive linemen. Expect his recruiting to pop as he gains more experience and exposure.

Thompson might not have the same flashy frame as some of the other top DLs in the class, but he makes up for it with strength, effort, and a really solid base of fundamentals. At 6’2” and 250 pounds, he’s already moving serious weight in the weight room, and that raw power shows up on tape. He’s got a quick first step, a slippery ability to knife through the trash, and the kind of relentless motor that keeps him in plays even when he’s initially blocked. He’s smart, physical, and constantly looking to disrupt, whether it’s by getting into gaps or reading and reacting off blocks. Add in the flexibility and agility that’s been there since the start, and it’s clear there’s a lot of long-term upside here. If he tightens up his pass-rush moves and continues adding explosiveness, Thompson can continue to evolve his game for the next three years.