Jonathan Thompson, Cincinnati LB: the 2026 season story
Jonathan Thompson is a senior linebacker for Cincinnati (Big 12). He ranks 95th of 930 linebackers in Division I by the Player Index, which judges every linebacker on the measures that matter at the position, adjusted for the opponents he faced.
Scouting report
Why it matters. Every measure is set against every ranked linebacker, so a strength here is a strength against the whole position, not just his own team. Jonathan Thompson's strongest measure is tackles per game at 7.5, 63rd of 459 (the average is 5.1). His weakest is interceptions per game at 0.00, 106th of 459 (the average is 0.03).
Season production
Why it matters. Volume is the first sign of how much a coaching staff trusts a player. His tackles per game, 7.5, ranks 63rd among 459 ranked linebackers.
Against every linebacker
Why it matters. Volume, efficiency and impact plays can tell different stories: a player can be busy without being effective, or rarely used but dangerous every time. Among ranked linebackers he sits, on average, in the 86th percentile for volume and 53rd for impact.
The season, game by game
Why it matters. Consistency matters to a team: one huge game and five quiet ones is a different season from six solid ones. Over 9 games, Jonathan Thompson's best came in week 1 against Boston College and his quietest in week 8 against Texas Tech.
Where he does his damage
Why it matters. The shape of a player's production, not just its size, is what opponents scout.
National and conference
Why it matters. The Player Index puts every linebacker on one scale, adjusted for the defenses or offenses he faced, so a rank here is comparable across conferences. Jonathan Thompson is 76th of 459 FBS linebackers and 10th of 48 in the Big 12. Next up nationally is Colin Gallagher of Delaware, 0.01 ahead on the index.
Career
Why it matters. A player's track record is the best guide to whether a season like this one is likely to last. This is his best season by the Player Index so far, out of 4 we have.
Linebackers like him
Why it matters. Players with similar profiles tend to be used the same way, which makes them a quick way to picture his game. His closest match this season is Noah Flemmings of UL Monroe.
