Brenen Thompson

NFL Draft Profile: Brenen Thompson

Position: Wide Receiver | School: Mississippi State (via Oklahoma/Texas) | Class: Senior

Height: 5'9" | Weight: 170 lbs | Archetype: Deep Threat / Slot

College Career Summary

Brenen Thompson is the definition of "world-class speed" on a football field. A former four-star recruit and elite track star (10.32s 100m), Thompson’s career was a slow burn across three major programs. After stops at Texas and Oklahoma, where he flashed elite vertical ability but struggled with consistency and soft-tissue injuries, he truly "arrived" in 2025 at Mississippi State.

Under Jeff Lebby’s offensive system, Thompson finally realized his potential as a volume-heavy deep threat. His 2025 season was a statistical explosion, nearly tripling his career production. He finished the year as a Conerly Trophy nominee (best player in Mississippi) and a Second-team All-SEC selection. He became one of only a handful of receivers in the country to log multiple 50+ yard touchdowns in 2025, solidifying his role as a premier "field stretcher."

Career Stats Highlights

• Total Receptions: 80 | Total Receiving Yards: 1,451 | TDs: 11

• 2025 Regular Season Stats: 53 Rec, 948 Yds, 6 TD

• Efficiency: 17.9 Yards Per Catch (2025); career-high long of 63 yards.

2025 Game-by-Game Grades

Week	Opponent	Stats (Rec/Yds/TD)	Grade	Scout's Notes
1	vs E. Kentucky	4 / 93 / 1	A-	50-yard TD on the first drive; showed improved hands.
2	@ Arizona St	5 / 115 / 1	A+	The Apex. Caught the game-winning TD to secure a road upset.
3	vs Toledo	2 / 20 / 0	C+	Stifled by deep zone; used primarily as a clear-out decoy.
4	vs Florida	4 / 68 / 1	B+	Beat press for a 44-yard score; elite vertical stacking.
5	@ Texas	6 / 76 / 2	A	Revenge Game. Two scores against his former team.
6	@ Georgia	4 / 92 / 0	A-	57-yard bomb against elite CBs; speed translated to the SEC.
8	vs Arkansas	6 / 107 / 0	B+	Most consistent performance; won at all three levels.
9	vs UMass	3 / 45 / 1	B	Controlled the slot; clean route running on a 12-yard TD.
10	@ Tennessee	3 / 32 / 0	C	Struggled to create separation against physical, handsy DBs.
11	vs Missouri	2 / 60 / 0	B	Only two targets, but one was a 54-yard "wow" play.
12	@ Ole Miss	6 / 80 / 0	B+	High-effort Egg Bowl; moved the chains late.
Bowl	vs Wake Forest	4 / 60 / 0	B-	Solid finale; drew two pass interference calls.

Scouting Grade Rubric

Intangibles (.20) — Grade: 91/100

• Leadership: Embraced a veteran role as a transfer; set the standard for the new "Lebby Era."

• Mental Toughness: Endured multiple transfers and early career injuries to finish as an All-SEC star.

• Competitor: A track star with a football player's heart; doesn't shy away from contact.

• Team Player: Praised by coaches as the "ultimate teammate" during the transfer transition.

• Star Power: High. He is a threat to house it every time he touches the ball.

Physical Tools (.20) — Grade: 82/100

• Height/Weight: 5'9", 170 lbs. (Under 6'0"/200lb targets; very lean build).

• Stamina: Elite track endurance; can sprint deep routes repeatedly.

• Durability/Injury History: History of bone spurs (HS) and soft tissue (2023). Proved he could handle a 12-game workload in 2025.

Attributes (.20) — Grade: 87/100

• Catching: Solid, but occasional focus drops when sensing a hit.

• Route Running: Strength. Sharp on vertical stems; becoming more nuanced on underneath digs.

• Body Control: High; elite ability to track the ball over his shoulder.

• Separation: Elite. Simply runs past people.

• Release: Sudden; uses track-start acceleration to neutralize press.

Athleticism (.20) — Grade: 98/100

• Speed: World-Class. True 4.3 speed; verified 10.32s 100m.

• Agility: Above average; elite "stop-start" in space.

• Jumping: Solid for his height; uses timing to high-point balls.

• Acceleration: Elite. Zero-to-sixty is as fast as anyone in the 2026 class.

• Break Tackle: Uses elusiveness rather than power; difficult to tag in the open field.

IQ (.20) — Grade: 92/100

• Awareness: Exceptional; knows how to adjust deep routes based on safety positioning.

NFL Scouting Report

• Strengths: Verified elite Olympic-level speed; elite vertical separation; high-IQ understanding of zone spacing; versatile return specialist potential; massive 2025 production jump in the SEC.

• Weaknesses: Undersized frame (170 lbs) leads to "durability" questions; catch radius is physically limited; can be crowded at the line by physical NFL corners.

• Scheme Fit: Ideal Deep Threat / Slot in an Air Raid or RPO-heavy NFL offense (e.g., Cardinals, Dolphins).

• NFL Comparison: Tank Dell / Marquise "Hollywood" Brown.

Scout's Final Word

"Brenen Thompson is the 'home run' hitter of the 2026 class. While he is physically slight, his 2025 season at Mississippi State showed he has the grit and volume capacity to be more than just a gadget player. In an NFL that values speed above all else, Thompson’s ability to force safeties 20 yards deep on every snap is invaluable. Projected: Round 3."