Jalen Thompson was born on July 18,1998 and is an American professional football safety for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League.
31 Facts About Jalen Thompson
1.
2.
Jalen Thompson played college football for the Washington State Cougars and was selected by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL supplemental draft.
3.
Jalen Thompson originally attended La Serna High School where he was named honorable mention All-San Gabriel Valley League as a sophomore as the Lancers went on to win the 2013 CIF Southern Section title.
4.
Jalen Thompson transferred to Downey High School following his sophomore year where he played both wide receiver and cornerback and was named All-CIF and All-San Gabriel Valley League in his junior and senior seasons.
5.
Jalen Thompson was rated a three-star recruit by ESPN, Rivals and Scout and the No 56 cornerback nationally by ESPN.
6.
Jalen Thompson ultimately committed to play college football at Washington State over offers from San Diego State, New Mexico State, Army, and Navy.
7.
Jalen Thompson entered Washington State as an early enrollee and participated in the Cougars' spring practices.
8.
Jalen Thompson was named the starting strong safety entering the season and was named a True Freshman All-American by ESPN after recording 51 tackles and a team-leading seven pass breakups in 13 games.
9.
Jalen Thompson entered his junior season on the Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist and recorded 67 tackles along with two interceptions and eight passes broken up and was named honorable mention all-conference.
10.
Jalen Thompson lost his final season of eligibility due to a violation of NCAA rules going into his senior season, which was reportedly due to purchasing a non-steroid over-the-counter supplement that is banned by the NCAA.
11.
On June 28,2019, Jalen Thompson had been informed by the NCAA that he had lost his last year of collegiate eligibility due to a violation stemming from a purchase of an over-the-counter supplement from a local nutrition store.
12.
Jalen Thompson finished his rookie season in 2019 with a total of 57 combined tackles, three passes defended and an interception in 15 games and nine starts.
13.
Jalen Thompson earned an overall grade of 64.4 from Pro Football Focus for the 2019 NFL season.
14.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph chose Jalen Thompson to be the starting strong safety, along with starting free safety Budda Baker, to start the regular season.
15.
On September 13,2020, Jalen Thompson started in the Arizona Cardinals season-opener, but injured his ankle after making one solo tackle and exited on the first drive of the first quarter.
16.
On September 17,2020, the Arizona Cardinals placed Jalen Thompson on injured reserve after he injured his ankle in Week 1 and he remained sidelined for the next six consecutive games.
17.
On November 4,2020, Jalen Thompson was activated from injured reserve.
18.
Jalen Thompson subsequently missed the next five games.
19.
Jalen Thompson completed the 2020 NFL season with 19 combined tackles and one pass deflection in five games and four starts.
20.
Jalen Thompson received an overall grade of 70.1 from Pro Football Focus in 2020.
21.
Jalen Thompson finished the 2021 NFL season with a career-high 121 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, and three interceptions in 17 games and 12 starts.
22.
Jalen Thompson received an overall grade of 68.2 from Pro Football Focus in 2021.
23.
Jalen Thompson returned as the starting free safety to begin the season and was paired with Budda Baker.
24.
Jalen Thompson started all 17 games during the 2022 NFL season and made 110 combined tackles, eight pass deflections, and one interception.
25.
Jalen Thompson received an overall grade of 76.2 from Pro Football Focus in 2022.
26.
Jalen Thompson suffered a hamstring injury and was inactive for two games.
27.
Jalen Thompson finished the 2023 NFL season with 78 combined tackles, nine pass deflections, and a career-high four interceptions in 15 games and 15 starts.
28.
Jalen Thompson received an overall grade of 71.3 from Pro Football Focus in 2023.
29.
Jalen Thompson was inactive for two games due to an ankle injury he sustained during practice.
30.
Jalen Thompson finished the season with 98 combined tackles, three pass deflections, and two fumble recoveries in 15 games and 15 starts.
31.
Jalen Thompson received an overall grade of 68.8 from Pro Football Focus, which ranked 51st amongst 171 qualifying safeties in 2024.