2017 Best Football Players in the MAC: #4 Cody Thompson, WR, Toledo Rockets

Cody Thompson had himself quite the year last season. The proficient Toledo Rockets offense set multiple team records. Cody Thompson got in on the act and is now the single season record holder with 1269 receiving yards. He also caught 64 passes. The results were a staggering 19.8 yards per catch. His consistency was amazing, as he had over 100 yards in 6 games. He was over the 70 yard mark in all but 2 games.

I think just how great of a season Thompson had was overshadowed by the number of great performances by the Toledo offense, and of course the amazing things Corey Davis and company were doing in Kalamazoo. His season was still good enough to earn First Team All-MAC honors.

The 6’2, 205 pound Thompson has proven what a deep threat he is over his entire career. He showed a lot of promise in 2015 by catching 37 passes for 805 yards. On his career, he is over 20 yards per catch. Currently, that would put him 22nd on the all time list, a few spots below Central Michigan great Ken Ealy.

Working in his favor is his close friendship with quarterback Logan Woodside, which has been well documented. You can read a nice story about Woodside by SN’s Bill Bender in which he talks about it here.

Things are setting up nicely for Thompson’s senior campaign. Gone is last season’s touch down leader, tight end Michael Roberts, who is now with the Lions. Also gone is Corey Jones, who was a great receiver in his own right. Those departures should allow for more targets to Thompson, especially in the red zone. Jon’Vea Johnson returns, who was also close to 20 yards per reception last season, so defenses wont be able to focus on Thompson.

I am expecting it to be another huge season for Thompson and the Rocket offense.