Mario Thompson

2025: Redshirted ... Played in five games, starting two at linebacker ... Registered eight tackles and a pass breakup ... Had four tackles at Indiana ... Recorded two tackles in the Cure Bowl win over South Florida. 2024: Sun Belt Honorable Mention ... Started all 12 games at linebacker ... Finished third on the team with 65 tackles, second on the team with four sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss ... Placed 20th in the Sun Belt in sacks ... Had one pass breakup and fumble recovery ... Notched six tackles and two sacks in the opener at South Carolina ... Had a career-high 12 tackles and half a tackle for loss against ECU ... Notched nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss against Virginia Tech ... Totaled nine tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in the win at Bowling Green ... Had five tackles apiece against Coastal Carolina and Georgia State ... Had three tackles apiece against Texas State and Georgia Southern ... Had one tackle at App State ... Notched eight tackles against James Madison. 2023: Appeared in nine games, starting eight at linebacker ... Recorded 42 tackles, two sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups ... The only true freshman to start a game on defense and one of two (Devin Roche) on the team ... In his first game of the year, registered six tackles at Marshall ... In his first career start at Southern Miss, totaled four tackles and a TFL ... Had five tackles and his first career sack at James Madison ... Recorded five tackles and a tackle for loss against Coastal Carolina ... Notched five tackles in the bowl-clinching win over Georgia State ... Had a season-high nine tackles and a sack in the Famous Toastery Bowl against WKU ... SBC Academic Honor Roll. HIGH SCHOOL: A three-star recruit by 247Sports … Helped lead Trinity Episcopal to back-to-back state championships … A two-time first-team All-State honoree … Named VISAA Division I Player of the Year. PERSONAL: Son of Mario and Lynquita Thompson ... Full name is Mario Deshawn Thompson Jr. ... Majoring in business management ... Favorite food is fried chicken ... Favorite snack is a snickers