What Happened to Anterio Thompson?
Anterio Thompson is an American football defensive tackle who recently concluded a collegiate career spanning multiple institutions, including Iowa Western C.C., Iowa, Western Michigan, and Washington. After showcasing his skills at his Pro Day and attracting interest from several NFL teams, Thompson was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Quick Answer
Anterio Thompson, a defensive tackle known for his collegiate career at Washington, Western Michigan, and Iowa, was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons as the 208th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 25, 2026. He impressed scouts with his athletic performance at his Pro Day, leading to pre-draft visits with multiple NFL teams. Thompson is now embarking on his professional football career with the Falcons.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Played at Iowa Western Community College
Anterio Thompson played one season at Iowa Western Community College, earning first-team all-conference and all-region honors as the team won the NJCAA Division I national title.
Transferred to University of Iowa
Thompson transferred to the University of Iowa, where he played in seven games and was noted for blocking two punts, ranking third in the nation.
Entered Transfer Portal from Iowa
Anterio Thompson entered the NCAA transfer portal from the University of Iowa.
Committed to Western Michigan
Thompson committed to Western Michigan University after entering the transfer portal.
Played at Western Michigan
Thompson spent the 2024 season as a starter at Western Michigan.
Entered Transfer Portal from Western Michigan
Anterio Thompson entered the transfer portal for a second time, leaving Western Michigan.
Committed to Washington Huskies
Thompson committed to the University of Washington, joining the Huskies as a transfer.
Enrolled at University of Washington
Thompson officially enrolled at the University of Washington in January 2025.
Played Final Collegiate Season at Washington
In his final year of eligibility, Thompson played in all 13 games for Washington, starting three, and recorded 30 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
Impressive Performance at Washington Pro Day
Anterio Thompson showcased exceptional athleticism at Washington's Pro Day, running an unofficial 4.73-second 40-yard dash at 306 pounds and performing 30 reps on the bench press, significantly boosting his NFL draft stock.
Scheduled 30-Visit with Chicago Bears
Thompson had a '30-visit' scheduled with the Chicago Bears, indicating their interest in him as a potential draft prospect.
Reported Interest from Green Bay Packers
Reports indicated that the Green Bay Packers had also shown interest in Anterio Thompson, including a '30-visit'.
Drafted by Atlanta Falcons in NFL Draft
Anterio Thompson was selected by the Atlanta Falcons as the 208th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Anterio Thompson's journey to the NFL has been characterized by a winding collegiate path and a recent surge in draft stock due to his impressive athletic profile. Thompson began his college football career at Iowa Western Community College in 2022, where he earned first-team all-conference and all-region honors as his team won the NJCAA Division I national title. He then transferred to the University of Iowa for the 2023 season, primarily contributing on special teams where he notably blocked two punts.
In December 2023, Thompson entered the transfer portal, seeking new opportunities. He committed to Western Michigan in January 2024, playing a starting role for the Broncos during the 2024 season. His collegiate journey continued in December 2024 when he once again entered the transfer portal and subsequently committed to the University of Washington, enrolling in January 2025. During his 2025 season with the Huskies, Thompson played in all 13 games, starting three, and recorded 30 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.
The pre-draft process in early 2026 proved to be a pivotal turning point for Thompson. Despite not receiving an NFL Combine invitation, he showcased exceptional athleticism at Washington's Pro Day in March 2026. He reportedly ran a 4.73-second 40-yard dash at 306 pounds, which would have been the fastest among all defensive tackles at that year's Combine, along with 30 reps on the bench press. This performance significantly increased his traction with NFL scouts. Following his Pro Day, Thompson had a '30-visit' scheduled with the Chicago Bears in late March 2026 and also had interest from the Green Bay Packers in April 2026.
On April 25, 2026, Anterio Thompson's efforts culminated in his selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, as the 208th overall pick. This selection marks the beginning of his professional career, where he is expected to bring his raw strength, upfield quickness, and special teams impact to the Falcons' defensive line. As of April 25, 2026, Thompson is officially a member of the Atlanta Falcons, preparing for his rookie season in the NFL.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Anterio Thompson made different choices?