Utah State’s Darwin Thompson to enter 2019 NFL Draft

Utah State running back Darwin Thompson runs against Colorado State during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Fort Collins, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State football junior running back Darwin Thompson announced Thursday his decision to forgo his senior season and enter the 2019 NFL Draft.

“I have spent a lot of time weighing all options for my future, receiving advice from my family and coaches throughout the process,” said Thompson. “I have come to the decision to leave school and enter the 2019 NFL Draft. Your support has meant everything to me and I’m excited to represent all my Aggies at the next level!”

During his one season at Utah State, Thompson earned second-team all-Mountain West honors as he carried the ball 153 times for 1,044 yards (6.8 yards per carry/80.3 yards per game) and 14 touchdowns to lead the team in all three categories, while adding 23 receptions for 351 yards (15.3 yards per reception) and two touchdowns.

“In these situations, we have and always will work to educate the young men and provide them with accurate information,” said USU head coach Gary Andersen. “Darwin and his family believe moving on is best for him and his future. We will support Darwin in his quest to play in the NFL and wish him all the best moving forward.”

On the season, Thompson is currently first in the Mountain West and 13th in the nation in rushing yards per carry (6.8), second in the MW and 18th in the nation with 14 rushing touchdowns (1.1 per game), third in the MW and 13th in the nation in total touchdowns with 16 (1.2 per game), fifth in the MW and 57th in the nation in rushing (80.3. yards per game), fifth in the MW and 58th in the nation in scoring (7.4 points per game), and fifth in the MW and 63rd in the nation in all-purpose yards (107.3 yards per game).

With his 1,044 rushing yards in 2018, Thompson became the first Aggie in five years and the 18th in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. Overall, his 1,044 rushing yards this year are tied for the 16th-most in school history and he is just the 32nd USU player to rush for 1,000 yards in a career.

Overall, Thompson is fourth all-time at Utah State for a single season with his 16 total touchdowns and is tied for sixth with his 14 rushing touchdowns. Furthermore, he is also fifth all-time in rushing average at 6.8 yards per carry and is tied for ninth in scoring with 96 points. And finally, his career rushing average is tied for the fourth-best in school history.

Thompson had five 100-yard rushing games this year, which is the most by an Aggie since 2013, and was the first player since 2012 to have 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game as he carried the ball 15 times for 140 yards with a touchdown and caught four passes for 115 yards and a career-high two touchdowns against San Jose State. In fact, Thompson had an 88-yard touchdown catch against SJSU to rank as the sixth-longest pass play in USU history.

Thompson also had a team-best 11 rushes of 20-plus yards this year, including four of at least 55 yards, to go along with three receptions of at least 20 yards, including two over 55 yards.

On the season, Thompson had at least one rushing touchdown in nine games and multiple rushing touchdowns in four games, including a career-high three at Hawai’i as he was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week as he carried the ball 13 times for a career-high 141 yards and added two receptions for 37 yards.

Fans can follow the Aggie football program at twitter.com/USUFootball or on Facebook at Utah State Football, as well as on Instagram at instagram.com/USUFootball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.

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