SCSU's Thompson Selected In Fourth Round By Baltimore Ravens; Only HBCU Player Selected in 2012 NFL Draft

ORANGEBURG, South Carolina — South Carolina State All-MEAC safety Christian Thompson has been selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fourth round of the 2012 National Football League draft.

The Ravens selected Thompson with the 130th pick overall.Thompson is the first Bulldog selected as high in the NFL draft since 1997 when the San Diego Chargers chose Raleigh Roundtree with the 109th pick overall in the fourth round. The 6-1, 211 pound Florida native was pegged by many pre-NFL draft websites as one of the top 10 safeties in the country.

Thompson saw action in 34 games during his three-year career for the Bulldogs. A 2011 first-team All-MEAC selection was the only player invited to the NFL combine since Arther Love in 1999 picked by the New England Patriots. He finished third on the team in tackles with 66 and second with 2 INTS, helping the Bulldogs to two MEAC titles in 2009, and 2010.

As a junior, played strong safety with a career-high 6 sacks while recording 46 tackles (one for loss) as a starter. 2009: One of the top reserves in the SC State secondary after transferring from Auburn…Played in eleven of the team's twelve contests and finished ninth on the squad in total tackles with 29, including six for losses and one sack. 2008: Played 10 games on special teams for Auburn, making one solo tackle, as a true freshman.

In the 2012 combine he finished as the # 6 Free Safety in the draft out of 71 running a 4.5 in the 40-yard dash and a vertical jump of 31 ½.

COURTESY SOUTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

NOTE:  Unfortunately, Christian Thompson becomes the poster man for HBCU football for 2012, as no other player from the MEAC, SWAC, CIAA, SIAC or GCAC was selected in the seven round NFL draft.  A total of 253 players were selected -- all the more reason that HBCU players should always make their No. 1 priority, earning their college degree(s) versus chasing a pipe dream of NFL riches. 

Sure,  a few will sign free agency contracts in the coming days and weeks -- with few, if any making it to the active roster on opening day.  Long shots at best, many of these players would have been better served if they had put as much emphasis on their academics as they did on football.  Although success is not guaranteed with a college degree, I like the odds better than those of making it to the NFL, NBA, NHL, NSL, MLB, etc.  I'm not trying to kill any one's dream, but you have to deal with the realities of life.  Without an education, you might as well be ...

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