Vikings UDFA NaJee Thompson embraces special teams as path to the NFL

Thompson rise is a large contribution to what he is: a special teams encyclopedia

Not only has he played most of the spots on special teams — he says he loves being a punt gunner — but all of them are associated with a story.

His entire run on special teams can even be explained by a story.

It was 2021, Butch Jones’ first year as the head coach of Arkansas State, and Thompson believes they didn’t prepare for special teams.

Thompson tells the story like it was from a Dr. Seuss book he read as a kid. He remembers every moment. Beginning when he realized they didn’t prepare for Thompson’s ability to impact the game from the spot.

“I got the instinct from the first special teams that they didn’t do their research,” Thompson explained.

According to Thompson, he was getting free releases to begin the game, forcing Arkansas State to send more double teams his way. Thompson, who began to take more double teams throughout his career, takes these moments personally. Whenever he sees one, it’s another team who didn’t prepare and another team he needs to punish.

“It made the game so much fun, and I enjoyed it so much,” Thompson said of seeing double teams. “Because I just knew teams didn’t really respect me, and a lot of teams don’t really respect special teams.”

In 2021, Thompson took his play to another level. With a team-high 154 special teams snaps, Thompson was among the best special teamers in the country and found himself on Pro Football Network’s All-American team as a special teamer.

Thompson credits Lunsford, his former head coach, with helping his development as a special teamer. According to Thompson, Lunsford – a special teams coordinator at three different schools, including Georgia Southern – helped him develop his game, often offering advice during practice to help the special teamers.

“Him being a head coach and being a heavy special teams guy, that’s what he wanted to see on his teams,” Thompson said.

Thompson also credits his experience running track in high school for his play on special teams.

Thompson, who earned the nickname Flash Thompson because of his legit track speed, holds the South Carolina record in the 200 meters, running it in 21.06 seconds in 2018.

“The strongest person can’t get a hold of me if he can’t run with me,” Thompson said. “I can run past him. Speed has always been an advantage for me.”