Following graduation from Oregon City High School, Mitchell Thompson had a decision to make.      

Even though he was first team All-League, second team All-State and the Three Rivers League Offensive Player of the Year in football, Mitchell received little attention from prospective college coaches. That probably was because at 5-7 he was a little undersized.       

After a little consideration, he decided to keep playing football and walked on to the PSU program.       

His sophomore season a coaching change opened up an opportunity for the 2017 recipient of a need-based football scholarship for someone who positively represents the program, provided by Tony Beatty.       

He worked into the running back rotation as a sophomore, but with his speed, Thompson really began making his mark on special teams.       

"I think he's the best special teams player I've ever seen. He plays so hard and is so fast and so aggressive, he raises everyone else's game. Everyone around him feels they've got to play harder," said Special Teams and Running Back Coach Nick Whitworth.      

Last season, one of Thompson's goals was to increase his time at running back. But, once again, it was on special teams where he really made his mark, winning the award for Best Special Teams Player. He did record a three-yard touchdown run at San Jose State early in the season, but he had 12 special teams tackles in seven games, including three against UC Davis and Sacramento State. Thompson was named second team All-Big Sky Conference at the special teams position.      

His overarching main goal was just to play as much as possible…"to get on the field, and if it's special teams, so be it." He enjoys being a bullet on special teams…"you get to run as fast as you can and make plays. There are a lot of big plays made on special teams."      

Thompson's specific goal at running back last year was to mature into the position.     

"As a younger player you just want to run as fast as you can. That's not always the best. My goal was to mature at running back, develop patience and wait for the holes to open up."     

Since he's not likely to get much taller, he spent the off season before both his junior and senior years at PSU working to get faster and stronger. That mean lifting a lot of weights, pushing sleds and doing box jumps. He's also been trying to improve his pass-catching ability. "My hands are not the best," he admitted, but said he practiced in the off season with teammates.       

Even with the special teams recognition, the highlight of last season for Thompson was the well-publicized awarding by Head Coach Bruce Barnum of a scholarship on the first day of fall camp.     

"I was surprised, and it was pretty great to see all my teammates and coaches happy for me," said Thompson.      

In the School of Business, Thompson will complete his degree requirements for a Business Finance degree the end of this fall term.      

On the field, his goals for this season are the same as last year…more time at running back. He carried five times for 35 yards against UC Davis and had been in on a special teams tackle in each of the Viking's first three games.      

He lists his strengths as his speed and his effort.       

And Whitworth agreed.     

"Because of his effort, he'll see more time on the field this year.  At running back, he's one of the fastest guys on the team. He's done a good job. He always plays hard. There's not a second that kid doesn't play hard," Whitworth said.       

Looking back, Thompson said "It's been a crazy experience. Coming in as a walk on, then there was a coaching change and I was able to work my way onto the field. Once I got the chance, I just worked harder and harder. Looking back, I'm glad I stayed with it."