NFL

Injuries have been a major narrative for the Detroit Lions during the 2024 season. They have been without Aidan Hutchinson for a large part of […]

Due to injuries and insufficient performance from others, San Francisco wide receiver Jauan Jennings became a prime target for 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy in 2024. […]

The possibility of Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers participating in Sunday’s Divisional Round game against the Buffalo Bills was already low, and after he […]

Miami Dolphins offensive assistant Parks Frazier has been named the offensive coordinator for the East Team in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl, the game revealed […]

Malachi Thompson views numerous films and examines various players who, like him, are wide receivers. The sophomore receiver at Nitro mentioned he likes to observe college athletes such as Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith or Alabama’s Ryan Williams. The athletes he observes are DK Metcalf and Justin Jefferson. He doesn’t dedicate much time to watching films on Moss, the ex-DuPont High standout who later aided Marshall in achieving a Division I-AA national title and had an NFL career that concluded with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Thompson, however, will possess one similarity with the iconic Mountain State receiver. Thompson was selected by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association as the recipient of the Randy Moss Award. Since 2014, the Moss Award has been awarded each year to the best receiver in the state, and Thompson was selected following a season during which he caught 74 passes for 1,593 yards and 18 touchdowns. The 18 points represented a slight decline in performance for Thompson this season, after he netted 20 during his sophomore year. However, according to Nitro coach Boom McKinney, that was not his fault. “He might have reached 30 if we had allowed it,” McKinney remarked, whose leadership guided the Wildcats to a 10-2 season and a position in the Class AAA quarterfinals. “We rotate players to ensure their satisfaction.” According to McKinney, Thompson was happy to share both the responsibilities and the attention, valuing team achievements more than personal honors. An improved receiving group at Nitro this year, along with double-teams from rival defenses that recognized Thompson from his standout sophomore season, played a role. Thompson mentioned that he studies film of other players and records observations on how athletes – whether receivers or rival defensive backs – perform, then gets ready accordingly. McKinney stated that those traits are what distinguishes Thompson from everyone else. Thompson’s training consists of sessions in the weight room, practices on the field, and analyzing game footage. […]