Sacramento State QB Kevin Thomson looking for opportunity in 2021 NFL Draft
We’ve seen every big-name quarterback come off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft, but there are still a host of prospects at the position with potential that could hear their name called today or be signed as an undrafted free agent.
Former Sacramento State quarterback Kevin Thomson is one of those players.
Sacramento State was his third stop in a college football career filled with adversity.
Previously, Thomson had seen time at Washington and UNLV. It was during that second stop that Thomson said marked a turning point both in his mindset and his career.
“When I was at UNLV going into my second year, I had Tommy John surgery. It put me out for several months and gave me time to reflect on what I really wanted and made me realize how passionate I was about football and how I wanted to continue to pursue it. I knew it would take a tremendous amount of work to get where I wanted to be, but I was willing to do that. So I think the injury really made me a better player overall since it forced me to do some self-reflection.”
With all the moving around Thomson has done throughout his career, he’s gather a wealth of experience under several different coaches and systems.
Over the past three seasons, Thomson has completed over 57% of his passes for 6,424 yards with 52 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
“I feel like I have a lot of experience,” he said. “Not just playing experience, but experience with having been at three different universities and playing for five different coaching staffs over six seasons.
So, I’m able to pick things up quickly and adapt to where I’m at. I think I have a good natural feel for the game as well, navigating the pocket, feeling pressure, getting the ball out when I need to get it out. I don’t take a lot of sacks. I think I can bring success to a team wherever I go.”
Small school players like Thomson are often overlooked in the draft, and the signal-caller is aware there are certain things he’s getting knocked for, but also certain things he may not be getting enough credit for.
“I don’t think I have the prototypical size, but I don’t think people are too worried about that,” he said. “But I do think that when a guy is smaller, some people tend to not think so much of their arm strength or they don’t think they can push the ball down the field.
But I think I have a lot of film that shows I can throw the ball down the field and make a lot of different throws. So I would say arm strength, and I also think I’m more athletic than people give me credit for. People have called me athletic in the past but I think I’m even more athletic than people give me credit for.”
Thomson was pleased with his pro day showing, and felt he was able to show scouts the full spectrum of what he could do.
“I think I just showed that I’m willing to do everything,” he said. “I think I may have been the only or one of the only quarterbacks who did the bench press. I’m not going to shy away from any challenge. Whatever is thrown in front of me, I’m going to try to do it to the best of my ability.”
It will be interesting to see where Thomson’s NFL landing spot is, and if it could be with the Tennessee Titans to compete with current backup quarterback Logan Woodside.
