Skylar Thompson: From Kansas State Standout to NFL Quarterback
Skylar John Thompson, born on June 4, 1997, is an American professional football quarterback. He currently plays for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). Before making his way to the NFL, Thompson left a significant mark on the Kansas State Wildcats football program.
Early Life and High School Career
Born in Palmyra, Missouri, to Brad and Teresa Thompson, Skylar Thompson faced early adversity when his mother, Teresa, passed away from stage-four breast cancer in 2004 when he was just six years old.
Thompson's athletic abilities were evident early on. At Fort Osage High School in Independence, Missouri, he excelled as a four-year letterman, holding the roles of starting quarterback, punter, and kicker. His senior year was particularly impressive, as he threw for 2,129 yards on 142 passes, with 26 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. This performance led the Fort Osage Indians to a 13-1 record and a state championship title, solidifying his status as a top prospect. He played in 46 games during high school, passing for 6,222 yards and 71 touchdowns. Thompson's dual-threat ability was on display his senior year where he rushed for 21 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards.
Notably, Thompson was recognized as the second-ranked player in Missouri and the 10th-ranked dual-threat quarterback in the 2016 class.
College Career at Kansas State
Thompson continued his football career at Kansas State University, where he aimed to make a name for himself with the Wildcats.
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Early Years and Rise to Starting Role
After redshirting as a freshman and earning the Scout Team Player of the Year award, Thompson began to see playing time. He appeared in eight games with four starts, throwing for 267 yards and three touchdowns. By his sophomore year, Thompson had earned the full-time starting quarterback position, a role he would maintain throughout his college career.
Impact and Records
Despite being plagued by injuries throughout his college years, Thompson proved to be a valuable asset to the Kansas State football team. When healthy, he played at a high level and established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the program's history. He holds the all-time record for best passer rating over 2,000 yards. Furthermore, he ranks second in school history for career passing touchdowns and passing yards. Thompson also holds the second-most total offensive yards for a quarterback in Kansas State history.
College Statistics Overview
In his passing career at Kansas State, Thompson completed 552 passes for 7,134 yards, achieving a 63% completion rate. He threw for 42 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
NFL Career
Thompson's journey led him to the NFL, where he initially joined the Miami Dolphins before moving on to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins selected Thompson in the 2022 NFL Draft. During his time with the Dolphins, Thompson experienced moments of both opportunity and adversity. He made his NFL debut in Week 5 against the New York Jets after Teddy Bridgewater sustained a concussion. In 2023, Thompson started in a playoff game for the Miami Dolphins.
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