The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Oberlin all-Ohioan to Walsh
Thompson excelled in football, hoops for Phoenix, will take talents to college gridiron
March 17, Oberlin’s two-sport allOhioan Isaac Thompson was the big man on campus, as he rolled into basketball coach Kurt Russell’s reserved parking spot.
Inside the gymnasium that fans cheered him as a basketball player was where he signed his letter of intent to play college football at Walsh University.
“(Signing) had a lot of excitement, a little nerves and new beginnings,” he said. “I’ve spent all four years at Oberlin. This is home. My family and friends mean everything to me.”
Thompson was all-Ohio as a power forward on the basketball court, but shined the brightest on the gridiron as a defensive end.
“(Walsh coaches) showed love,” Thompson said. “They were constantly texting me and letting me know what was going on. They were (treating me) like family and showing love.”
As a first-year coach with Oberlin, Dominique Goodwin couldn’t have been more thankful to have a “freak of nature” such as Thompson.
“For a kid that is 6-4, being that lean, fast and agile, it is amazing to see his length,” Goodwin said. “With him putting on some weight, he will be able to play at the next level. It’s going to be a sight to see.”
As a 6-foot-4, 225 pound defensive end, Thompson totaled six sacks with an interception, two forced fumbles, two defensive touchdowns and a safety.
“When you talk to other teams, and they’ll say that’s who they are game-planning for. When you see No. 23 out there, that’s who they want to go after and make sure they are blocking him,” Goodwin said.
Despite the attention from opposing teams, he wrecked havoc in the backfield to be selected secondteam all-Lorain County League, firstteam all-Lorain County and all-district honorable mention.
According to Goodwin, Thompson epitomized what it meant to be a Phoenix and is a role model for all student-athletes.
“All of these kids look up to Isaac (Thompson). He was the epitome of what a Phoenix should be,” he said. “Looking at that and seeing his accomplishment and (thinking that) I can come from Oberlin and go do great things. It is only motivating for these kids.”
Russell was also in attendance and was thrilled to see Thompson take his game to the next level.
“(Watching Thompson sign) is truly exciting because he worked for it,” he said. “There was nothing that was handed to him. He took the time and he took the effort and he worked for this and I am so proud of him.”
Thompson will turn his entire focus on football, which is a first for the multisport athlete. However, Goodwin believes a full offseason in the weight room is a positive.
“For (Thompson), (playing full-time football) is going to be an adjustment, because he doesn’t have that basketball outlet. He is fulltime football, and I think he will be better for it,” he said. “His body transformation is
going to be very important. He used to watch his weight because he had to get up and down the court to be as fast as he is. He is going to be a monster and I know Walsh is going to do the right things.”
With the obstacles ahead, Thompson is ready to take on the challenge at Walsh.
“I feel like I can do it. That is something that is attainable and is something that I am ready to do,” he said.
At Walsh, he will join area recruits such as Caden Peters (Avon Lake), Dylan Sees (Midview) and Colin Simon (Olmsted Falls).
They will play for Coach John Fankhauser, who will enter his third year as Walsh’s coach after a 1-9 (1-7 in GMAC) season in 2022.
“(Watching Thompson sign) is truly exciting because he worked for it. There was nothing that was handed to him. He took the time and he took the effort and he worked for this and I am so proud of him.” Oberlin boys basketball coach Kurt Russell, on Isaac Thompson signing to play football collegiately at Walsh