Young SEMO TE has evolved 'into a man' this off-season

Southeast Missouri State sophomore-to-be tight end Braden Thompson made an impression on the Redhawk coaching staff throughout this past off-season, as he grew into a 256-pound “man” (23 pounds heavier than a year earlier) under the tutelage of SEMO Director of Sports Performance Ryan Napoli.

“I’ve got multiple guys in my room,” Redhawk tight end coach Cole Cook said, “who have turned into freakish athletes through our great strength program. Now, it’s a question of ‘Can I get them better? Can they keep getting better, so that we can help this offense be really, really good?’”

Thompson looked great in the weight room this winter. However, in the recent SEMO spring game at Scott City High School, he looked REALLY great.

“Number 87 (Thompson’s number),” Cook said, “is a man.”

Thompson made several nice receptions in the intrasquad scrimmage to gain yardage, and his athleticism and strength to battle through tackles were very evident.

“I can’t describe how easy it is to coach Braden,” Cook said. “He is the perfect kid that you want in your (position) room. He works hard every day. He takes coaching and tries to be better every single day.

“And he’s gotten better.”

This past off-season, Thompson set personal bests in his squat (460 pounds), bench (380), and clean (305).

Athletically, he increased his vertical jump to an all-time high of 27 ½ inches.

“I told (Thompson) this spring,” Cook continued, “he is like a different dude than he was last year.”

It’s a good thing that Thompson has been this diligent in his approach. That is due to his team never knowing when it may just have to rely heavily upon his young (but big) shoulders.

“There was a point in the (2022 FCS Playoff) game at Montana,” Cook said, “where we only had one functional tight end (Thompson).”

Veteran tight end Will Weidemann, who was an All-Ohio Valley Conference selection, graduated and sophomore Danny Joiner (nine games, seven receptions) is the most experienced tight end in Cook’s room. However, Thompson is proving to be a key piece of depth in an ever-growing position group, even though it was only spring football.

“Braden has matured as a player,” Cook said. “He plays like a veteran. He is making the easy plays now look easy. As a freshman, there was a lot of thinking. But he has that figured out and he is executing at a high level.

“He is going to provide a lot of value for us this fall.”

Thompson and Joiner are joined by former North County High School standout Nolan Reed, who also had a tremendous off-season.

In addition, the Redhawk coaching staff recruited Southern Mississippi transfer Mitchell Sellers (6-foot-5, 270 pounds), who spent time at both tight end and defensive line with the Golden Eagles.

“Mitchell is a great kid,” Cook said. “He has been easy to coach. He works hard and he wants to get better. Obviously, with his size, that is something that is really helpful to our team. We’re going to continue to improve him, get him better, so he can help us win this fall.”

The Redhawks also have incoming freshmen Bryce Chrestman (6-foot-5, 240 pounds; Pontotoc, Miss.), Andrew Civey (6-foot-4, 225 pounds; North County HS), as well as redshirt freshman Nik Rowland (6-foot-5, 225 pounds; Poplar Bluff HS).

“We’re going to end up being deeper than we have ever been for fall camp,” Cook said. “I’m really excited about coaching these guys. They are so fun to coach. I love coming to work every day. It is a blessing to be around them.

“I am really looking forward to the potential they can provide for us.”