Arkansas has added a preferred walk-on pledge from one of Texas’ most tradition-rich high school football programs.
Aledo defensive lineman Kyle “Boogie” Thompson (6-3, 255 pounds), who had offers from Oregon State, Air Force and Lamar, made his pledge to the Razorbacks official on Wednesday with a ceremony at his school.
“I had a couple of other offers that I was looking at, but they kind of fell through because I waited too long,” Thompson said of not signing during the December signing period. “After that, I got it down to PWO offers from Arkansas, (Texas) and TCU, and my family and I thought Arkansas was the best place for me.”
Thompson, who was offered by Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, is one of 14 known preferred walk-ons who Arkansas appears to be bringing onto next season’s roster.
Thompson had 49 tackles, 30 solo stops, 14 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 20 quarterback hurries, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 forced fumble and 1 blocked kick for a team that came up shy of its fourth straight Class 5A Division II state title.
Thompson attended a football camp at Arkansas last June and also was in Fayetteville for the Razorbacks’ 40-21 beatdown of Texas last September.
“I have family up there already as my stepbrother (Jack Steffe) has been there for two years and I have visited up there a couple of times,” Thompson said. “It is really beautiful up there. And also my brother (Kaden Thompson) is coming up there next year, too.
“I went up and watched the UT game. It was a really good one and certainly made an impression on me. Arkansas is on the rise.”
Thompson’s nickname, Boogie, came from his quickness as a baby.
“When I was a baby, I used to crawl fast,” Thompson said. “My mom’s friend was over and was like, 'Look at him boogie across the floor.’ My Irish twin brother would go to one side of the room and yell ‘boogie’ and I would crawl to him. It’s stuck since."
Aledo is one of Texas’ most successful public school football programs with 10 state titles, including 9 in the last 13 seasons.
Eventual champion South Oak Cliff downed Aledo 33-28 in the regional semifinal.
“It has been a pretty successful school and we make the playoffs pretty much every year, usually make state, but we fell short this year,” Thompson said. “It is a good program. We work hard and Coach (Tim) Buchanan has us prepared every year for our opponents.”
Thompson played defensive end and defensive tackle in 2021 and he grew from 240 to 255 pounds.
“My strengths are definitely my quickness off the ball and my quickness with my hands,” Thompson said. “I can continue to get stronger. I know I will definitely redshirt next season so that will be my main focus and my goals next year will be to contribute to he team in any way I can.”
Arkansas 2022 preferred walk-on commits:
• Kam Bibby, WR, 6-1, 180, El Dorado
• Brock Burns, OL, 6-4, 305, Ozark
• Randall Dennis, DL, 6-3, 280, Lawrenceville (Ga.) Archer
• Brooks Edmonson, OL, 6-4, 295, Bryant
• Blake Ford, K, 6-1, 210, Arlington (Texas) Lamar
• Cade Fortin, QB, 6-3, 220, South Florida transfer
• Kai Hamilton, OL, 6-4, 305, Hope
• Ethan Joseph, FB-LB, 6-1, 210, Alpharetta (Ga.) King’s Ridge Christian
• Briggs Magee, LS, 6-2, 220, Georgetown, Texas
• John Paul Pickens, DB, 6-1, 185, Jonesboro
• Mason Schueck, LB, 6-2, 220, Pulaski Academy
• Daryl Searcy, Jr., RB, 6-0, 211, Joe T. Robinson
• Hunter Talley, TE, 6-5, 210, Siloam Springs
• Kyle “Boogie” Thompson, DL, 6-3, 255, Aledo, Texas