With his sights set on what he hopes will be a promising future in the NSFL, DT Bubba Thumper, formerly of the Tennessee Volunteers, has officially declared for the upcoming DSFL draft. "I'm as focused on this game as I've ever been," says the 6'4", 310lb run-stuffer, who recorded forty-four tackles in twelve appearances for the Volunteers last season, after taking a medical redshirt in what would have been his senior season to allow a torn ACL to heal. "It's been a challenge to even get to this point, but putting in hard work every day so that I can contribute and compete in this league".
To say it's been a challenge for Thumper is an understatement; after waiting until his freshman year of high school to enter the game, he spent three seasons as an undersized fullback for North Shore High School in Houston, Texas before he hit a growth spurt and transitioned to the position he plays today, defensive tackle. This was exactly the move Thumper needed to excel; after three lackluster seasons on the offensive side of the ball, Thumper flourished on defense, setting a Texas state high school record of forty-one tackles for loss in a single season. "Fullback was fine, and I was happy just to be on the field," recalls Thumper, thinking back to a time when he was five inches shorter and ninety pounds lighter, "but I don't think I'd be in the position I'm in today if I hadn't made the move to defense".
Thumper has a point; even with an impressive senior season of high school, he found himself unable to draw a single scholarship offer to play D-I football, and spent three of his four years of eligibility at Trinity Valley Community College, setting more tackles-for-loss records for the Cardinal program while trying to play his way onto a D-I roster. "I've been an underdog since I started playing this game," claims Thumper, justifiably showing signs of confusion, "but I've busted my ass, and I've gotten where I've felt I needed to go". And, once again, he's right; after three impressive years with Trinity Valley, Thumper finally received an offer to play football at the University of Tennessee, an offer he gratefully accepted. "That's probably the highlight of my life, that phone call," remembers Thumper, his signature grin stretching across his face, "that's when I knew I had a real chance to play football at the next level".
But of course, life wasn't done throwing adversity Thumper's way; before he even set foot in Neyland Stadium, Thumper tore his ACL, and was forced to burn a medical redshirt in what would have been his senior season. And, of course, Thumper persevered, returning for a fifth season in which he led the Volunteer defense in tackles for loss. However, a shoddy offense left the team just short of bowl eligibility, and Thumper finished his collegiate career with just twelve appearances at the D-I level. "It was disappointing," says Thumper, "but it's in the past now. Nothing I can do about that."
So, what is the goal going forward for a player like Thumper? Given how the sport has evolved, is there a place for a run-stuffing defensive tackle in today's pass-first game? "Even if that's true, teams still need a guy who can go out there and stop the run," argues Thumper, "that's the strength of my game, and I work hard to excel at getting into the backfield, getting to the running back. I feel I can contribute in that way from day one, and I want to help whatever team takes a chance on me compete to hang banners. That's what it's all about".
That is indeed what it's all about, Thumper, the question is, what teams are willing to take a chance on the underdog? Rumors suggest that Thumper has fielded questions from a handful of DSFL teams, but Thumper's not telling who. "I'm grateful for interest from anybody, and I'll do my best to contribute no matter where I go. That's the attitude you have to have to win championships: forget about me, do it for the team". Maybe Thumper is right about that, too, but you can't help but root for him to gather some accolades of his own along the way.
To say it's been a challenge for Thumper is an understatement; after waiting until his freshman year of high school to enter the game, he spent three seasons as an undersized fullback for North Shore High School in Houston, Texas before he hit a growth spurt and transitioned to the position he plays today, defensive tackle. This was exactly the move Thumper needed to excel; after three lackluster seasons on the offensive side of the ball, Thumper flourished on defense, setting a Texas state high school record of forty-one tackles for loss in a single season. "Fullback was fine, and I was happy just to be on the field," recalls Thumper, thinking back to a time when he was five inches shorter and ninety pounds lighter, "but I don't think I'd be in the position I'm in today if I hadn't made the move to defense".
Thumper has a point; even with an impressive senior season of high school, he found himself unable to draw a single scholarship offer to play D-I football, and spent three of his four years of eligibility at Trinity Valley Community College, setting more tackles-for-loss records for the Cardinal program while trying to play his way onto a D-I roster. "I've been an underdog since I started playing this game," claims Thumper, justifiably showing signs of confusion, "but I've busted my ass, and I've gotten where I've felt I needed to go". And, once again, he's right; after three impressive years with Trinity Valley, Thumper finally received an offer to play football at the University of Tennessee, an offer he gratefully accepted. "That's probably the highlight of my life, that phone call," remembers Thumper, his signature grin stretching across his face, "that's when I knew I had a real chance to play football at the next level".
But of course, life wasn't done throwing adversity Thumper's way; before he even set foot in Neyland Stadium, Thumper tore his ACL, and was forced to burn a medical redshirt in what would have been his senior season. And, of course, Thumper persevered, returning for a fifth season in which he led the Volunteer defense in tackles for loss. However, a shoddy offense left the team just short of bowl eligibility, and Thumper finished his collegiate career with just twelve appearances at the D-I level. "It was disappointing," says Thumper, "but it's in the past now. Nothing I can do about that."
So, what is the goal going forward for a player like Thumper? Given how the sport has evolved, is there a place for a run-stuffing defensive tackle in today's pass-first game? "Even if that's true, teams still need a guy who can go out there and stop the run," argues Thumper, "that's the strength of my game, and I work hard to excel at getting into the backfield, getting to the running back. I feel I can contribute in that way from day one, and I want to help whatever team takes a chance on me compete to hang banners. That's what it's all about".
That is indeed what it's all about, Thumper, the question is, what teams are willing to take a chance on the underdog? Rumors suggest that Thumper has fielded questions from a handful of DSFL teams, but Thumper's not telling who. "I'm grateful for interest from anybody, and I'll do my best to contribute no matter where I go. That's the attitude you have to have to win championships: forget about me, do it for the team". Maybe Thumper is right about that, too, but you can't help but root for him to gather some accolades of his own along the way.