Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
2026 Football Roster
Roster
ILB
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DT
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DE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DT
/ Football
S
/ Football
TE
/ Football
OL
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OLB
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WR
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OL
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DT
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ILB
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S
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QB
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Jersey Number 16
Jaiyden Thompson
- Position:
- ILB
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-3 / 238
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Okolona, MS
- High School:
- Shannon
2025 (Junior)
• Played in 11 games
• Ended the year with four tackles and 0.5 TFLs
• Was in on 21 defensive snaps on the season and another 122 on special teams
• Had a 71.9 PFF grade for special teams which was fourth-best on the team
• Had a tackle and a half TFL against FIU
Itawamba
• Played nine games in 2024
• Registered 54 tackles, including 6.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks and three pass breakups in 2024
• Had an 18-tackle game against East Mississippi to earn both MACCC and NJCAA Defensive Player of the Week honors
• Named to the All-MACCC North Division Team and earned NJCAA All-Region 23 honors
• In 2023, he led the team with 84 tackles including 5.5 TFLs, a sack and two fumble recoveries
• Earned MACCC Defensive Player of the Week honors his freshman season after posting 15 tackles and recovering two fumbles against NE Mississippi CC
High School
• Lettered in football at Shannon High School
• Amassed 156 tackles, including 10 TFLs and four sacks in three years to go with 64 receptions on offense
• Added 103 tackles with four TFLs and two sacks his senior year
• Was a MaxPreps Defensive Player of the Game winner four times his senior year
Personal
• Full name: Jaiyden Keyon Thompson
• Parent: Shanika Thompson
• Born: 7/23/2004
• Major: Integrated Studies
• Played in 11 games
• Ended the year with four tackles and 0.5 TFLs
• Was in on 21 defensive snaps on the season and another 122 on special teams
• Had a 71.9 PFF grade for special teams which was fourth-best on the team
• Had a tackle and a half TFL against FIU
Itawamba
• Played nine games in 2024
• Registered 54 tackles, including 6.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks and three pass breakups in 2024
• Had an 18-tackle game against East Mississippi to earn both MACCC and NJCAA Defensive Player of the Week honors
• Named to the All-MACCC North Division Team and earned NJCAA All-Region 23 honors
• In 2023, he led the team with 84 tackles including 5.5 TFLs, a sack and two fumble recoveries
• Earned MACCC Defensive Player of the Week honors his freshman season after posting 15 tackles and recovering two fumbles against NE Mississippi CC
High School
• Lettered in football at Shannon High School
• Amassed 156 tackles, including 10 TFLs and four sacks in three years to go with 64 receptions on offense
• Added 103 tackles with four TFLs and two sacks his senior year
• Was a MaxPreps Defensive Player of the Game winner four times his senior year
Personal
• Full name: Jaiyden Keyon Thompson
• Parent: Shanika Thompson
• Born: 7/23/2004
• Major: Integrated Studies
MTSU Football Signing Day Press Conference 1/3/25
Wednesday, December 03
MTSU Football at New Mexico State post-game press conference – 11/29/25
Sunday, November 30
MTSU Football at New Mexico State post-game press conference – 11/29/25
Saturday, November 29
Raider Report Game 12 - MTSU vs. New Mexico State University
Friday, November 28
