Dylan Thompson waiting for phone to ring with next NFL chance
Dylan Thompson is unsure when he will get another opportunity to play in the NFL, but he is doing everything he can to ensure that when that time comes he will be ready.
The former South Carolina star continues to train and stay in shape while waiting to be signed by an NFL team, he said before speaking at the Columbia Touchdown Club on Thursday.
Thompson has worked out for several NFL teams, including the Panthers earlier this week, since being cut by the Rams in late August,
“You don’t know when somebody’s going to call you and say come fly out and work out, so you’ve got to stay in shape, stay ready,” Thompson said. “(I’m) just really excited about the opportunities that are ahead and just working my butt off to be ready for when a team calls my number and gives me a shot.”
Thompson spent last season with the 49ers before being cut when a new staff, led by Chip Kelly, arrived in San Francisco.
He signed with the Rams in early June and was cut a couple of months later.
Since then he has gone through the unique process of trying to be signed as a free agent during the NFL season.
“It’s a weird job interview because you’re out there usually with another quarterback competing side-by-side for a pecking order of guys they’ll call if something happens,” he said.
Despite spending two months so far as a free agent, Thompson is not losing faith. He and his wife Melanie recently went through the process of moving from California back to the upstate.
“We’re in a good spot,” Thompson said. “We trust God completely and know that if I’m in the NFL we’ll be extremely happy and if I’m not we’ll be extremely happy.”
He spoke to the Touchdown Club about his time as a high school athlete, lightly recruited prospect, playing for Steve Spurrier and playing quarterback in the NFL.
Thompson’s message for the high school players in attendance was, “Just know to be grateful that you can play the game as long as you can play it. Just to be really grateful and enjoy it.”