ACC teams impressing three-star 2025 LB Kris Thompson

Nashville (Tenn.) Lipscomb Academy linebacker Kris Thompson has elevated his recruiting stock throughout the fall, picking up new offers from the likes of North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Florida, Mississippi State, and most recently Michigan.

For Thompson, his ascend into the national spotlight came in his first game against national powerhouse IMG Academy (Fla.), where he racked up 14 tackles and three sacks.

Then, his new wave of offers followed.

This fall has also given the 6-foot-1, 223-pound prospect an opportunity to take some memorable gameday visits. So far, Thompson has made the trek to Louisville, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

The ACC teams have really impressed Thompson so far in his travels.

"I would say both Louisville and North Carolina had the best atmospheres I've been too so far," Thompson stated.

Louisville is a school that has been on the rising junior's radar for a while, extending an offer back in the spring. He was on hand to witness the Cardinals big win over Notre Dame back in October and was impressed with everything he saw while on campus.

"It was awesome," Thompson noted of Louisville. "As soon as I got on campus all the attention was on me and I just felt important there. Like the man on campus. They showed me so much love and they got that big win against Notre Dame. I got to rush the field and see what the atmosphere is like."

Throughout his recruiting process with the Cardinals, Thompson has stayed in touch with linebackers coach Mark Ivey. It's a relationship that continues to get stronger.

"Coach Ivey, I like that he's genuine and he keeps it honest with me. He watches my games and tells me things that I did well and things I need to get better on."

North Carolina is one of Thompson's most recent offers, but the Tar Heels' staff got to work with him one-on-one during the summer at one of their camps. His early season film popped off and now he's a priority target for linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen.

Thompson visited North Carolina for their border showdown with South Carolina in Charlotte.

"Coach Thigpen keeps in touch with me. The atmosphere there was out of this world. I went up there for a camp previously and after our second game against Saraland (Ala.), they offered me and I ended up going down there for a game."

Thompson said he plans to visit Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi State, and Florida throughout the rest of the season.