It’s Official: Dylan Thompson Joins Wahoo Football Team

Former Ohio State defensive end Dylan Thompson is now officially a Wahoo.

The massive graduate senior arrived in Charlottesville late this week and has joined the team, only a week from Virginia’s opener next Saturday against Richmond. Thompson has apparently tied up all academic loose ends in Columbus and is eligible to play for the Cavaliers.

Just over a week ago, UVa coach Bronco Mendenhall was not optimistic about Thompson joining the team.

“I would say it’s unlikely at this point,” Mendenhall told reporters, referring to Thompson becoming eligible due to coursework at Ohio State. “Until he arrives he’s not part of our team. And right now it would be “if” he arrives would be the way to phrase it.”

Apparently Thompson cleared those hurdles, according to a source close to the football program.

Mendenhall will likely update media at his first season press conference Monday on Thompson’s status and the possibility of playing against Richmond.

Thompson tweeted out this message to UVa fans Thursday: “See you in the morning Charlottesville.”

The former Buckeye is a beast of a man and expected to add much-needed depth to Virginia’s defensive line. His playing time at Ohio State was limited due to injuries. He appeared in only two games during his career and recorded three tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in the lone season he saw action for OSU.

He was a three-star prospect out of Montini Catholic High in Lombard, Ill., in 2014, where he was labeled a top 50 defensive line prospect. Injuries his freshman year and some academic issues kept delayed his progress in Columbus.

Thompson is 6-foot-5, 285 pounds of muscle due to his weightroom diligence. Ohio State coach Urban Meyer announced prior to the 2017 season that Thompson was no longer on scholarship, after having been ruled academically ineligible for the 2016 season.