James Thompson Jr. is ready for Wisconsin’s bowl game and eager to lead the defensive line in 2024

MADISON – Even with one game remaining this season, James Thompson Jr. has already started to contemplate his goals for the 2024 season.

Thompson knows he likely will be the old guy, the elder statesman among Wisconsin’s defensive linemen next season.

“It is crazy,” the defensive end joked. “I hate that.”

Thompson will be a fifth-year senior next season. With end Rodas Johnson already having hit the transfer portal and senior nose tackle Gio Paez moving on after this season, Thompson will have by far the most experience among the team’s linemen in 2024.

Younger/less experienced players such as Curt Neal, who appears set to start at end against LSU in the ReliaQuest Bowl, Jamel Howard and Ben Barten will need a mentor. Ditto for several younger linemen set to join the program.

“Without a doubt,” Thompson said. “Me being the most experienced and being able to know how it is and what you’ve got to do to prepare right, what you’ve got to do to take care of your body, how to train right. … I’ve got to be able to set an example for everybody.

“Because the way you leave this program is how you set it for the future.”

Thompson has taken baby steps at UW but he has continued moving forward.

He made his UW debut at Michigan in 2020 and suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. He played sparingly in 13 games in 2021 and recorded seven total tackles. His role increased last season, though nose tackle Keeanu Benton was the alpha dog of the unit. Thompson started seven games and finished with two sacks and 23 tackles in 13 games. Thompson this season has started nine of 12 games and has three sacks, five tackles for loss and 24 total tackles.

He has arguably applied the most consistent pass rush among UW’s linemen. His goal for 2024 is to be a force against the run and the pass.

“I’m going to try to put everything together next season,” he said. “Just be an overall better player and do everything coach wants me to do. Be versatile.”

One of the players Thompson is eager to watch in the bowl game Monday is Neal. The 6-foot, 290-pound redshirt freshman was a reserve nose tackle during the regular season but has moved to end since the departure of Johnson.

“He is a guy who (has) a high motor, creates disruption,” Thompson said. “He is like a little ball of energy. His motor is phenomenal. He just goes out there and plays ball.

“That is what you need. You need guys to play violent, fast. If they mess up, they mess up. But at least they cause some havoc. That is what Curt does.”

Thompson considered Johnson one of his closest friends on the team. He acknowledged it wasn’t easy seeing Johnson decide to transfer. Thompson insists he isn’t going anywhere.

“I’m here to play football for the University of Wisconsin,” he said. “That’s what I love to do. I’m focusing on that.”