He played college football for the California Golden Bears and was selected by the Broncos in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL draft.

Since 2022, Thompson has served as co-head coach of his alma mater, Grant Union High School in Sacramento, California.

[1] In the season-opener against Tennessee, Thompson played with a cast because of a broken wrist and was twice outpaced by All-American wide receiver Robert Meachem for touchdown receptions.

In 2007, Thompson again started all 13 games and recorded 78 tackles including six for loss, ten broken-up passes, and one interception.

California scored on its ensuing possession, but Thompson reported he was teased by his teammates and asserted that he "was good for the first 40 yards, but then my back and my hip started tightening up".

[1] Thompson is on the watch list for the 2009 Lott Trophy, which is an award bestowed upon the nation's best defensive player with strong character.

[7][8] When asked to name his four most important teammates, California linebacker Worrell Williams included Thompson as the only defensive player.

"[9] The NFL Draft Scout, a CBS Sports affiliate, rated Thompson 15th of its Top 32 seniors for the 2009 season, and wrote, "His straight-line speed, agility, reliable open-field tackling and natural return skills would be earning significantly more attention from the national media if he played in the Big Ten or SEC.

[13] On September 2, 2011, during the Broncos' last preseason game at the Arizona Cardinals, Thompson suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon, and missed the entire 2011 season.

[17] In 2022, Thompson was named co-head coach of his alma mater, Grant Union High School in Sacramento, California, alongside Carl Reed.

[18] Thompson and Reed led the Pacers on a turnaround from an 0–9 2021 season, culminating in winning the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Division 3-AA championship.