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Tedric Thompson
Tedric Thompson
from Wikipedia

Tedric Thompson (born January 20, 1995) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes,[1] and was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Seattle Seahawks.

Key Information

Professional career

[edit]
External videos
video icon Thompson's NFL combine workout
Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0 in
(1.83 m)
204 lb
(93 kg)
31+12 in
(0.80 m)
9+58 in
(0.24 m)
4.60 s 1.53 s 2.68 s 4.36 s 7.11 s 35.5 in
(0.90 m)
9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)
17 reps
All values are from NFL Combine/Pro Day[2][3][4][5]

Seattle Seahawks

[edit]

The Seattle Seahawks selected Thompson in the fourth round with the 111th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.[6] He was the 12th safety selected in 2017 and was one of three safeties drafted by the Seahawks that year. Thompson was the second safety selected by the Seahawks behind Michigan's Lano Hill, but was selected before Cincinnati's Mike Tyson.[7] On May 11, 2017, the Seahawks signed Thompson to a four-year, $3.07 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $672,004.[8]

External videos
video icon Seahawks select Thompson 111th overall

Throughout training camp, Thompson competed against Bradley McDougald to be the primary backup free safety.[9] Head coach Pete Carroll named Thompson the third free safety on the Seahawks’ depth chart to begin the regular season, behind Earl Thomas and McDougald.[10]

Thompson was inactive as a healthy scratch for the Seahawks’ first seven games (Weeks 1–8). On November 5, 2017, Thompson made his professional regular season debut and made one tackle during their 17–14 loss against the Washington Redskins in Week 9.[11] He finished his rookie season in 2017 with four combined tackles (two solo) in nine games and zero starts.[12]

In Week 5 of the 2019 season against the Los Angeles Rams, Thompson intercepted a pass from Jared Goff that was dropped by Gerald Everett in the 30–29 win.[13] In Week 6 against the Cleveland Browns, Thompson intercepted a pass thrown by Baker Mayfield in the 32–28 win.[14]

On October 30, 2019, he was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.[15]

Thompson was released by the Seahawks on March 31, 2020.[16]

Kansas City Chiefs

[edit]

Thompson was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs on July 30, 2020.[17] He was waived on November 28, 2020.[18]

Cleveland Browns (first stint)

[edit]

Thompson was claimed off waivers by the Browns on November 30, 2020.[19] He was waived on January 15, 2021.[20]

Denver Broncos

[edit]

On July 27, 2021, Thompson signed with the Denver Broncos.[21] On August 8, 2021, the Broncos released Thompson.[22]

Tennessee Titans

[edit]

On August 12, 2021, Thompson signed with the Tennessee Titans.[23] He was placed on injured reserve on August 17, 2021.[24] He was released on August 20.

Cleveland Browns (second stint)

[edit]

On December 16, 2021, Thompson was signed to the Browns practice squad.[25] Thompson was elevated to the active roster for the December 20 game versus the Las Vegas Raiders.

Personal life

[edit]

He is the younger brother of former safety Cedric Thompson.[26]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Tedric Thompson (born January 20, 1995) is an who played at the and had a professional career in the (NFL). Thompson attended Valencia High School in , before joining the in 2013, where he started as a and amassed over 200 career tackles, becoming the 70th player in school history to reach that milestone. Selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth round (111th overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft, he signed a four-year rookie contract worth $3.07 million, including a $672,004 signing bonus. During his tenure with the Seahawks from 2017 to 2019, Thompson appeared in 29 games, recording 80 tackles (52 solo), three interceptions, and one forced fumble, primarily serving as a rotational safety and special teams contributor. Released by in March 2020, he signed with the that July before being waived and claimed by the in November 2020, where he did not appear in any games that season. In 2021, Thompson's career included short stints with the (waived in August), (released in August), and a return to the Browns, where he appeared in one game that year. He briefly signed with the of the Canadian Football League in September 2023 but was released from their practice squad later that month without playing. Over his entire career spanning 38 games across five teams, Thompson tallied 93 total tackles (63 solo), three interceptions for 18 yards, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble, with no sacks or touchdowns. As of 2025, Thompson remains an unrestricted following the expiration of his last contract in 2021, with career earnings totaling approximately $3.34 million.

Early life

Family and childhood

Tedric Thompson was born on January 20, 1995, in Inglewood, California. His parents, David Thompson and Flossie Bradford, both attended Locke High School near Watts in Los Angeles but did not graduate; David was 24 and Flossie was 16 at the time of Cedric's birth in 1993, and Tedric arrived about two years later as their second child, followed by a daughter, Cedrinae. He grew up in neighborhoods including Inglewood, Compton, and Gardena, where he was exposed to gang violence, including the loss of a cousin and imprisonment of another family member due to gang activity. The family later relocated to Palmdale, California, to escape gang violence when Thompson was approaching his teenage years. Thompson grew up with an older brother, , who later played safety at the and was selected by the in the fifth round of the . During his early years in the area, Thompson initially showed reluctance toward football; after his first practice, he decided to quit, finding it too demanding, but a family friend encouraged him to persist. In his youth, Thompson's hobbies included playing and spending time with family and friends.

High school career

Tedric Thompson attended Valencia High School in , where he developed into a standout . As a safety, he earned first-team All-Foothill League honors three times during his high school career, showcasing his versatility and leadership on the Vikings' defense. In his junior year of 2011, Thompson recorded 39 tackles, including 6 tackles for loss, contributing significantly to Valencia's defensive efforts. As a senior in 2012, he led the team with notable performances, tallying 49 tackles and 4 interceptions while also contributing on offense with 117 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns; his defensive prowess earned him All-CIF Southern Section North Division honors and first-team All-State recognition from MaxPreps. Thompson's recruitment drew interest from multiple programs, including scholarship offers from and Fresno State, but he committed to the in early 2013 as the only Pac-12 school to extend him an offer, signing his on February 6. His strong academic record, including a 3.6 GPA and Scholar-Athlete honors, played a key role in opening doors to these collegiate opportunities.

College career

University of Colorado Boulder

Tedric Thompson joined the University of Colorado Boulder as a highly touted safety recruit from Valencia High School in California, where his strong high school performance drew attention from multiple programs before he committed to the Buffaloes. As a true freshman in 2013, Thompson saw action in all 12 games for the Colorado Buffaloes, primarily as a reserve defensive back, while earning three starts—at free safety against Oregon and at strong safety versus California and USC—logging 266 defensive plays overall. His early contributions helped him adapt to the college level, setting the stage for an expanded role the following season. In his year of 2014, Thompson emerged as a starter at strong , anchoring the secondary for the first eight games and establishing himself as one of the team's top defenders with consistent playmaking ability. However, his season was cut short by a sustained against UCLA, limiting him to those initial contests but showcasing his potential as a hard-hitting . Thompson's junior campaign in 2015 marked his first full season as a starter, where he solidified his position in the defensive backfield with 63 tackles—including 3.5 for loss—three interceptions, and five pass breakups, earning honorable mention All-Pac-12 recognition for his reliable coverage and run support. He also blocked a key in during a rivalry win over Colorado State, contributing to the Buffaloes' defensive resilience. That year, Thompson was selected to the Pac-12 All-Academic second team as a major, balancing his on-field duties with strong academic performance. During his senior season in 2016, Thompson assumed a prominent role in the secondary, guiding a Buffaloes defense that helped propel to a 10-win campaign and a berth in the Pac-12 Championship game. He led the Pac-12 with seven interceptions—a total that tied the school single-season record—and recorded 63 tackles, earning second-team All-Pac-12 honors from the coaches while twice being named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week for standout performances against Stanford and . His ball-hawking ability and vocal presence were instrumental in elevating the team's pass defense within the conference.

Achievements and statistics

Over his four seasons with the from 2013 to 2016, Tedric Thompson amassed 215 tackles (158 solo), 13 interceptions, 26 passes defended, and 1 forced fumble, while also recording 8 tackles for loss. His 13 interceptions tied for fifth in program history, highlighting his ball-hawking ability as a . Thompson's performance peaked in his senior year of 2016, when he led the Pac-12 with 7 interceptions (third nationally) and topped all FBS players with 16 passes defended, alongside 63 tackles. Earlier seasons showed steady development, with 3 interceptions each in 2014 and 2015, contributing to his career totals. The following table summarizes his season-by-season defensive statistics:
YearTackles (Solo/Ast)InterceptionsPasses DefendedForced Fumbles
201333 (24/9)030
201456 (38/18)321
201563 (54/9)350
201663 (42/21)7160
Career215 (158/57)13261
For his standout 2016 campaign, Thompson earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors and was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week twice—after recording two interceptions against Stanford on October 22 and another multi-interception game against on November 26. He also received Colorado's Dave Jones Award as the team's outstanding defensive player. Thompson's senior-year production placed him on multiple NFL draft prospect watchlists, underscoring his professional potential.

Professional career

2017 NFL draft

Thompson entered the process as a projected mid-round prospect, bolstered by his college production of eight interceptions over his final two seasons at , which showcased his ball-hawking instincts. At the in , he measured 6 feet tall and 204 pounds, recording a time of 4.60 seconds and a of 32.5 inches, metrics that highlighted his adequate straight-line speed but average explosiveness for a free safety. During 's pro day on March 9, 2017, Thompson improved his vertical leap to 35.5 inches while standing on his other combine numbers, impressing scouts with his fluid hips and change-of-direction ability in positional drills. Scouting reports praised Thompson's ball skills, noting his natural ability to track passes like a and position himself to undercut routes effectively, making him a reliable centerfield defender. His range in coverage was often described as better than his timed speed suggested, thanks to quick and , though concerns lingered about his top-end burst against faster receivers. Analysts viewed him as a versatile with strong tackling fundamentals, projecting him as a rotational player or special teams contributor early in his career. The selected Thompson in the fourth round, 111th overall, on April 29, 2017, adding depth to their secondary with a player who fit their preference for instinctive defenders. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $3.07 million, including a of $672,004. This selection came two years after his older brother, , was drafted in the fifth round (150th overall) by the in 2015, marking the second Thompson brother to enter the as a .

Seattle Seahawks

Thompson was selected by the in the fourth round of the with the 111th overall pick. As a , he appeared in nine games without starting, primarily contributing on special teams with 104 snaps in that phase. He recorded four total tackles (two solo) and two fumble recoveries, including one that helped secure a win against the in Week 10. His defensive snaps were limited to just 22, reflecting his role as a depth player behind established safeties like and . In 2018, Thompson earned a starting role at free safety following injuries to key players, including , who suffered a season-ending in . He started 10 of 14 games, logging 656 defensive snaps and amassing 57 tackles (41 solo), one , three passes defended, and one forced fumble. His came in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings, where he picked off a pass from to help seal a 21-7 victory. Thompson's performance provided stability in the secondary during a transitional year for the Seahawks' defense. Thompson's 2019 season began strongly as the starting free safety, but was cut short by . In six starts, he recorded 19 tackles (nine solo), two interceptions for 18 yards, and two passes defended over 387 defensive snaps. Notable plays included a diving interception of in Week 5 against the , which preserved a 30-29 win by preventing a potential game-tying score late in the fourth quarter. The following week, he intercepted in a 32-28 victory over the , showcasing his ball skills in critical divisional matchups. On October 30, Thompson was placed on injured reserve due to a , limiting him to those six games. After three seasons with , Thompson was waived on March 31, 2020, as part of the team's management, freeing up approximately $2.1 million in space. The move came after he failed a physical related to his prior issue, ending his tenure with the Seahawks where he had totaled 80 tackles, three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble across 29 games.

Kansas City Chiefs

Following his release from the Seattle Seahawks on March 31, 2020, Thompson signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on July 30, 2020, to bolster their safety depth ahead of training camp. Thompson earned a position on the Chiefs' 53-man roster for the 2020 season and appeared in eight regular-season games as a reserve safety, without recording a start. His role was limited, with 71 defensive snaps in the first four weeks before dropping to just 22 snaps over the next four games, often serving as a healthy scratch. In those appearances, Thompson tallied 13 tackles (11 solo and 2 assisted), contributing minimally to a Chiefs defense that ranked among the league's top units in points allowed. The Chiefs waived Thompson on , 2020, to activate wide receiver from the practice squad. Throughout his brief tenure, he gained exposure to Steve Spagnuolo's aggressive scheme under head coach , emphasizing versatility in the secondary.

Cleveland Browns (first stint)

On November 30, 2020, the Cleveland Browns claimed safety Tedric Thompson off waivers from the Kansas City Chiefs to address depth needs at the position following injuries to key players, including starter Ronnie Harrison Jr., who was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Thompson, who had prior NFL exposure appearing in eight games with the Chiefs earlier that season, primarily on special teams, brought versatility as a rotational option with experience in both safety roles. Thompson was added to the Browns' active roster on December 5, 2020, amid a rash of injuries at , such as Grant Delpit's season-ending Achilles tear and Harrison's absence, which left the unit relying heavily on starters and Sheldrick Redwine. He served in a depth role behind those starters and did not record any defensive snaps or statistics during the Browns' final three regular-season games or their wild-card playoff victory over the . The Browns waived Thompson on January 15, 2021, to activate guard from the reserve/COVID-19 list ahead of their divisional playoff matchup against the Chiefs.

Denver Broncos

Thompson signed with the on July 27, 2021, providing depth at the safety position following his release from the earlier that year. With experience as a rotational defender and special teams contributor from his time with the and , Thompson was positioned to compete for snaps in coverage units amid a crowded secondary that included starters Justin Simmons and . However, Thompson did not appear in any preseason games before being released by the Broncos on August 8, 2021, as the team signed Lorenzo Neal Jr. in a corresponding move.

Tennessee Titans

On August 12, 2021, Thompson signed with the as a , just four days after being waived by the , to bolster the team's depth ahead of the preseason. His prior experience on special teams with Denver positioned him as a versatile option for Tennessee's defensive backfield, which featured a strong front anchored by defensive tackle . Thompson appeared in one preseason game for the Titans, recording limited snaps before sustaining an injury that sidelined him. On August 17, 2021, the team placed him on injured reserve, effectively ending his brief tenure without any regular-season contributions. The Titans released Thompson from injured reserve with an injury settlement on August 20, 2021, allowing him to become a once more.

Cleveland Browns (second stint)

On December 15, 2021, Thompson signed with the ' practice squad, marking his return to the team after previous stints elsewhere that year. Amid a outbreak impacting the Browns' roster, Thompson was elevated from the practice squad to the active roster on December 19, 2021. He made his appearance during the second stint in the Browns' Week 16 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders on December 20, 2021, logging three special teams snaps with no recorded tackles or other statistics. Thompson was subsequently placed on the practice squad/COVID-19 list on December 23, 2021, and restored to the practice squad on January 3, 2022. He did not see further elevation or playing time during the remainder of the 2021 season or the Browns' wild-card playoff game. Following the 2021 season, Thompson became an unrestricted and has not signed with an team since, remaining unsigned as of 2025.

Personal life

Family

Tedric Thompson shares a close relationship with his older brother, , a former safety who was drafted by the in 2015, and has cited the experience of following in his sibling's footsteps as a significant blessing during his own draft process in 2017. The brothers, along with their sister Cedrinae, maintain strong family bonds rooted in their origins, where Tedric was born in . Thompson has kept details of his , any children, or spousal support private throughout his professional career, with no public records or statements available on these aspects. His family's emphasis on faith and personal authenticity, instilled from his upbringing in , has influenced his approach to career transitions, including team relocations across the .

Interests and beliefs

Thompson maintains a strong Christian , which he credits for guiding him through personal and professional challenges. He has emphasized the importance of relying on during highs and lows, stating that his faith helped him navigate life's obstacles. This belief system, instilled by his family, remains a cornerstone of his . Beyond football, Thompson harbors a lifelong interest in , noting that he was actually more skilled at the sport than football throughout his youth. He has expressed a desire to channel this passion into post-career pursuits, such as coaching basketball to help keep inner-city youth out of trouble and engaged in positive activities. Additionally, he enjoys video games like and as a primary for relaxation. Thompson is actively involved in community initiatives, particularly those addressing social issues in underserved areas. Through the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats campaign, he has supported organizations combating the school-to-prison pipeline and promoting awareness, reflecting his commitment to preventing violence and supporting youth development. He has also participated in events, such as NFL Play 60 activities in to encourage among children. His tattoos, covering much of his right arm, carry personal meanings tied to his life experiences and motivations, as explored in a Seahawks feature.

References

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