Looking back on his record-setting career at the University of Toledo, senior receiver Cody Thompson is glad he flew under the radar in the recruiting process.
Toledo was the only school to offer Thompson a scholarship out of Huron High School, and he progressed from solely a special teams player to one of the top receivers in school history.
Thompson headlines a 13-player senior class that will take the field one final time Friday at the Glass Bowl against Central Michigan.
“I remember coming in as a freshman and just kind of grinding every day and trying to help the team in whatever way I could,” Thompson said. “I’ll remember the growth from starting playing all special teams to having four catches as a freshman to having a pretty solid sophomore and junior years to a good senior year.
“The growth has been awesome to see and it’s been an exciting experience. I’m glad I only had that one offer looking back on it because Toledo was the right place for me.”
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With 3,231 career receiving yards and a program-record 30 touchdown catches, Thompson has made the most of his lone offer out of high school.
Thompson wrestled with the decision of coming back for another year or entering the NFL draft after breaking his leg last season.
He chose to return for another year to get back to full strength and to have one final chance to play with the Rockets.
“Once I made the decision, I wasn’t thinking about any what-ifs or any other opportunities or anything on the outside,” Thompson said. “I was excited. It gave me time to rehab and get back to 100 percent. I don’t have any issues with my injury from last year. I’ve had fun with a great group of guys and a great senior class. It’s been an exciting year and I’m glad I came back.”
Thompson is one of the few remaining players from Toledo’s 2014 recruiting class. He has stuck around with such teammates as Ka’dar Hollman, Richard Olekanma, Jon’Vea Johnson, Jalen Reese, and Yazeed Atariwa.
While many of their classmates have graduated or moved on from the program in another way, those six remaining fifth-year seniors have left an impression, including by winning the Mid-American Conference title last season.
“My class that I came in with, the ones that stuck around, we were a big part of that championship team,” Hollman said. “Throughout the years, we stuck together, and they really mean a lot to me.”
Hollman came to Toledo as a walk-on and worked his way to a scholarship player before becoming Toledo’s top cover cornerback this season. Growing up in New Jersey, Hollman didn’t hear a lot about the Rockets or the MAC.
“It was one of those things where I didn’t really know a lot about Toledo,” Hollman said. “I just wanted an opportunity, and Toledo gave me that. If anybody was willing to give me an opportunity, that was the school for me. That was enough to buy me in.”
Among the 13 players suiting up for the final time at home are junior college and graduate transfers Tuzar Skipper, Reggie Howard, Brock Ruble, and Sami Kassem. They have assimilated well with the other seniors.
“It would be hard for a new person to come into a new environment and not fit in,” Skipper said. “That would be very difficult.
“For me, it was the complete opposite. I was new here, but that didn’t stop people from talking to me and helping me settle in. The guys here welcomed me with open arms and that is all I can really ask for."
Also in the senior class are kicker Jameson Vest, who broke the school’s all-time field-goal record, Tyler Taafe, Josh Teachey, and Chris Green.
This group of seniors might be small compared to other classes, but they had a lasting impact on the program.
“I just really respect the impact they have made on the program,” third-year UT coach Jason Candle said. “It isn’t just from a statistical standpoint, it’s attitude and effort and bringing it every day. It shows their willingness to go through tough moments.
“Some of these guys who are still around went through a coaching change and dealt with injuries and adverse situations and fought through tough times to come out and earn the right to call themselves conference champions last season. They made a tremendous impact on myself and on this university.”
First Published November 21, 2018, 8:17 p.m.
