For Der’rickk Thompson making the decision to come to SMU to play football was easier than reciting his ABC’s.

Not only did Thompson commit to join the Mustangs as a junior in high school, but the commitment was also an easy decision to make. SMU football is all in the family for Thompson. Former SMU running back Keylon Kincade is Thompson’s cousin. After graduating, Kincade spent 2005 with the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe before making the Dallas Cowboys practice squad and later the Houston Texans.

With the help from his cousin and recruiting coach at Troup High School, Thompson knew SMU would be a good fit.

“I knew coach Jones was here and I knew it was a big passing team, so I could play receiver,” said Thompson.

According to Thompson, Kincade was constantly motivating him to go to SMU, and Kincade proved to be right about Thompson’s fit with the Mustangs.

However, the transition from high school to college wasn’t the easy one to make. A torn ACL his senior year meant Thompson was out for an entire season. Fortunately, Thompson was able to redshirt his first year at college and recuperate at his own pace.

While Thompson wanted nothing more than to “make big plays” and hear the crowd go crazy because of something he did, it was important for him to redshirt and focus on the fundamentals.

“In high school football was a lot easier. Once I got to college learning the playbook was harder than getting my knee better,” said Thompson.

This season, Thompson has finally gotten the chance to debut his speed and talent. The wide receiver ran a 4.37 (???) in high school and was named to first-team All-District 19-2A in football and basketball as a junior.

Now he’s tearing up the turf with the Mustang stampede. By the end of the SMU vs. Memphis game Thompson had six catches for 104 yards. The Tigers were unable to stop Thompson when he caught a 44-yard touchdown pass. Thompson also had 11 yards against TCU when the Mustangs defeated the Horned Frogs to take home the Iron Skillet on Oct. 1.

Thompson is currently majoring in applied physiology and sports medicine. In regards to the future his only plans are to be successful in whatever he chooses to do.

Thompson is a redshirt freshman so Pony fans have plenty of time to catch him in action. Thompson and the Mustang football team are looking for a homecoming victory against Tulane this homecoming weekend.