2023: Appeared in nine games, starting eight at linebacker ... Recorded 42 tackles, two sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups ... The only true freshman to start a game on defense and one of two (Devin Roche) on the team ... In his first game of the year, registered six tackles at Marshall ... In his first career start at Southern Miss, totaled four tackles and a TFL ... Had five tackles and his first career sack at James Madison ... Recorded five tackles and a tackle for loss against Coastal Carolina ... Notched five tackles in the bowl-clinching win over Georgia State ... Had a season-high nine tackles and a sack in the Famous Toastery Bowl against WKU.
HIGH SCHOOL: A three-star recruit by 247Sports … Helped lead Trinity Episcopal to back-to-back state championships … A two-time first-team All-State honoree … Named VISAA Division I Player of the Year.
PERSONAL: Son of Mario and Lynquita Thompson ... Full name is Mario Deshawn Thompson Jr. ... Majoring in business management ... Favorite food is fried chicken ... Favorite snack is a snickers.
MARIO THOMPSON CAREER STATS
| Year | Games | UT | AT | TOTAL | TFL | Sacks | INT | FF | FR | PBU |
| 2023 | 9 | 17 | 25 | 42 | 5.5-28 | 2.0-17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 9 | 17 | 25 | 42 | 5.5-28 | 2.0-17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |