Welcome to Day 32 of Hoosier Huddle’s annual Countdown to Kickoff! Today we highlight one of the greatest players to ever don the Crimson and Cream: Anthony Thompson.
Anthony Thompson
Height: 6’0”
Weight: 204 pounds
Hometown: Terre Haute, Indiana (Terre Haute North Vigo High School)
Class/Position: Class of ‘89 / Running Back
NIL Store: N/A
Arguably the greatest running back to come out of Bloomington, the Indiana native stayed true to his roots, committing to play for the Bill Mallory-led Hoosiers.
Thompson made an immediate impact on the ground at IU, totaling 4,965 yards, 4.6 yards per carry, and 64 touchdowns through four seasons.
The real highlight of Thompson’s tenure with the Hoosiers came during his senior season in 1989. That year he amassed 1,994 total yards and 25 touchdowns as he led the nation in just about every running back category. While Hoosier fans vividly remember how Andre Ward robbed him of the Heisman (by just 70 points, mind you), Thompson still has an impressive trophy case. He was a unanimous All-American and became the first-ever Indiana player to win the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year award (a club recently joined by Fernando Mendoza).
Thompson was drafted by the Phoenix Cardinals in the second round of the 1990 NFL draft and enjoyed a short NFL career, playing in just 37 games and totaling 905 yards and 6 touchdowns with the Cardinals and Rams.
Thompson’s number 32 was retired by Indiana following the 1989 season, cementing his legacy in Bloomington.
Today, Thompson is still involved with Indiana Athletics, serving as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development for the Hoosiers, helping to usher in a new era of Indiana excellence.
The countdown continues each day on Hoosier Huddle until the Hoosiers kick off the 2026 season against the North Texas Mean Green!
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