Kelly Lyell

kellylyell@coloradoan.com

Former CSU running back Deron Thompson is transferring to Kansas for his final two seasons of college football, he said Saturday.

The former state champion sprinter from Wichita, Kansas, decided to leave Colorado State University’s program this spring in hopes of seeing more playing time elsewhere, he said.

Thompson, 5-foot-10 and 178 pounds, said he believes he’s a good fit for the new pass-oriented offense the Jayhawks are switching to this season under second-year coach David Beaty.

“I like the coaching staff, and I feel confident in what they’re trying to do,” Thompson said. “It’s a good opportunity for me to go in and work, do what I can do, show what I can do.”

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Thompson, a Class 6A state champion in the 100 and 200 meters in 2014 as a senior at Northwest High School in Wichita, was rated the No. 9 prospect in Kansas and No. 14 all-purpose back in the country by Rivals.com when he signed with CSU.

He played in just eight games for the Rams over the past two seasons, running for 86 yards on 23 carries in six games as a true freshman in 2014 and for 49 yards on seven carries in two games as a sophomore.

After deciding in March following a meeting with coach Mike Bobo that he would transfer at the end of the semester, Thompson ran sprints this spring for the CSU track team instead of participating in spring football practices. He said he wouldn’t mind running track at some point at Kansas, as well, but wants to focus purely on football for now.

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Thompson will have to sit out next season under NCAA transfer rules but can count it as his redshirt year. The extra time, he said, will help him get more comfortable with the Kansas football program and help him get ahead academically.

Thompson said he had several offers after announcing his decision to transfer but ultimately made his decision between Kansas and Southeast Missouri State of the lower-level Football Championship Subdivision.

CSU returns two of its top three running backs from last season this fall in junior Dalyn Dawkins and sophomore Izzy Matthews. The Rams also have several talented freshmen coming in who Bobo expects to compete for playing time right away.

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