Jalen Thompson

Jalen Thompson's Biography

Jalen Thompson is widely recognized as a prodigious safety in American professional football. As a prominent player for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL), Thompson has not only made his mark on the field but also established himself as a noteworthy individual off the field with a remarkable journey competitive sport. On July 18, 1998, a boy by the name of Jalen Thompson came into this world in Compton, California. Little did anyone know that this boy would grow up to become a revered figure in American Football.

During his high school years, Thompson proved himself to be a natural at American Football. Initially, he attended La Serna High School, where he achieved the honorable mention All-San Gabriel Valley League in his sophomore year. At the time, his extraordinary performance contributed significantly as his team, the Lancers, clinched the esteemed 2013 CIF Southern Section title. Following his noteworthy stint at La Serna, Thompson made a move to Downey High School and further refined his skills there as a wide receiver and cornerback. Such an exceptional display of skill led to him being named All-CIF and All-San Gabriel Valley League during his junior and senior seasons.

Thompson’s illustrious career continued to prosper during his senior year. He intercepted five passes and maintained an average of 20.2 yards per reception. Consequently, he was named to the All-Area Dream Team by the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Among sports analysts and football enthusiasts, Thompson was rated a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals, and Scout, and was ranked as the No. 56 cornerback nationally by ESPN.com. The young football talent eventually committed to play college football at Washington State, spurning offers from San Diego State, New Mexico State, Army, and Navy.

Thompson’s arrival at Washington State brought both experience and energy to the Cougars. As an early enrollee, Thompson was actively involved in the team’s spring practices and was subsequently named the starting strong safety, entering the season on a high note. He ended his first year, prolifically with 51 tackles and a team-leading seven pass breakups present under his belt after 13 games. Such an outstanding debut led to him being declared a True Freshman All-American by ESPN. As a sophomore, Thompson led the Cougars with 73 tackles, inclusive of 5.5 for loss, two pass breakups, and four interceptions. His remarkable performance led to his conferment as second-team All-Pac-12 Conference and first-team All-Conference by the Associated Press.

Thompson’s reputation for being a formidable player continued to grow. Entering his junior season on the watchlist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, Thompson garnered 67 tackles, two interceptions, and managed to break up eight passes. However, a reported violation over the purchase of a non-steroidal over-the-counter supplement banned by the NCAA led to Thompson losing his final season of eligibility. Despite this setback, Thompson’s never-say-die attitude saw him start all 39 of Washington State’s games during his tenure, concluding with 191 tackles, six interceptions, and 17 pass breakups.

After his declaration of ineligibility for the final season at Washington State, Thompson decided to enter the 2019 NFL Supplemental draft. The decision turned out to be pivotal for him as he was awarded to the Arizona Cardinals for a fifth-round pick, becoming the only player to be selected in the 2019 Supplemental Draft. In July 2019, he penned a four-year contract with the Cardinals. Thompson’s NFL journey began in earnest on September 8, 2019, against the Detroit Lions, playing seven snaps on special teams. He made his first career start on October 6, against the Cincinnati Bengals, making eight tackles in a well-earned 26–23 win. His first career interception came on November 17, 2019, from a pass courtesy of San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo.

Thompson’s rookie season culminated with a tally of 57 tackles, three passes defended, and an interception from 15 games. Starting nine out of the Cardinals’ final 12 games, Thompson’s debut season resonated with promise and talent. In 2020, Thompson was named as the Cardinals’ starting strong safety, although an ankle injury limited his appearances. Despite the setback, Thompson registered 19 tackles and one pass defended in five appearances with four starts.

Come 2021, Thompson led the team with 121 tackles while also recording seven passes defensed and three interceptions over 17 games and 12 starts. Thompson’s contribution to the Cardinals’ campaign was recognized by the franchise, leading to a lucrative three-year, $40 million contract extension, which included a guaranteed $24.5 million. The contract, which Thompson signed on September 2, 2022, ensured his stay with the Cardinals through till 2025.