Louisiana Football: Interview with C.E. Byrd 2021 RB Venzell Thompson
By Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
C.E. Byrd has a rich football history in the city of Shreveport. Unfortunately, 2019 was a rough season as the Yellow Jackets finished just 4-7, but one of the bright spots for Byrd last was the play of junior running back Venzell Thompson. Thompson led the team’s rushing attack with 705 yards and was second on the team with five rushing touchdowns. After the season, this rising star was named second team All-District.
The 6’0”, 195-pound, rusher has tremendous ability to run through potential tackles and break away from defenders. Thompson also possesses good hands, athleticism and speed. This class of 2021 prospect currently holds two college offers from Air Force and Louisiana College and is also drawing interest from other notable college programs.
Thompson is not only a hard worker on the football field and in the weight room but also in the classroom where he currently has a 3.8 GPA.
In an exclusive Recruiting News Guru interview, I sat down with the Yellow Jackets star to talk about his junior season at C.E. Byrd and get an update on his recruiting process.
Interview
Venzell, what are your thoughts on the 2019 season?
“No one wanted that result and the season was very disappointing due to the fact we should have won most of our games but it taught many of us young guys a lot about what we need to do to become better as a unit and understanding the game itself. No one wanted that season but it was something a lot of us needed.”
How would you grade your individual performance last year and why?
“Although people around me would say an A for the way I did things at the fullback position, Coach Wilkerson, my former coach, and I both agreed on a B grade. I could have done way better and we both know it but my emotions, mainly frustration, played a big role in my performance due to what was going on with offense. We let our defense down a lot this past season.”
What are your strengths on the football field?
“My strengths are running the ball, blocking, punting, and catching.”
What was your most memorable moment last season?
“My most memorable moments were the throw to William Berry against Captain Shreve to keep us in the game and the Airline game, seeing them dance at kickoff when the game was about to start struck a nerve in me that I didn’t know I had. That made me run angrier that night and I achieved a career high on rushing yards so that was a good night for sure.”
Did you receive any individual honors last year?
“I received multiple player of the game honors and offensive player of the game, and second team All-District.”
What kind of challenges did you face last year?
“I faced many but one that was more visible and kind of big was my frustration with what was going on. It was hard staying happy and it was hard to have fun.”
How did you overcome this challenge?
“I overcame it by just trying to relax more because I couldn’t control what was happening so I just tried to do my part and go with the flow.”
What is your practice schedule during the offseason?
“With lockdown being over, I practice nearly every day really. I’m in the weight room five days a week and going to the field to do footwork and running so I can move pretty well when the season starts.”
What are you working on most to improve your game?
“I’m improving on my strength and explosiveness so I can truly shred defenses with my size, strength, and speed on every play, even if I don’t touch the ball. I love blocking as much as I love running the ball.”
Do you have any college offers?
“Air Force and Louisiana College.”
What other schools are showing you interest at this time?
“Army, Southern Illinois, and Mississippi College.”
Have you been to any college camps?
“Not yet due to the coronavirus.”
What do you like most about playing running back?
“I love giving hits, scoring touchdowns, and knowing that people were afraid to tackle me; it’s noticeable on film as well. It’s a great feeling when you hit someone knocking them to the ground, score, or put fear in people.”
What is your fastest 40-yard dash time?
“4.69.”
Do you play any other sports in high school?
“Just football but I’m considering bowling for my last year. No one knows I’m very good at bowling.”
Who has had the biggest impact on your football career?
“It’s hard to narrow it down to one but I know hands down two people made me who I am as a football player; my head coach from middle school and my coach from this past season. Coach Martinson really taught me how to be very aggressive on the field which is what I’ve built off of every year since sixth grade. And then Coach Wilkerson was the first coach I met before even attending Byrd. He had an idea of who I was and then from there our relationship got better and he helped me adjust to the position that was best for me. Without him putting me at running back my sophomore year, I’m possibly just another average player.”
What is your GPA?
“3.8.”
Do you have a favorite quote or Bible verse?
“I have a favorite quote and Bible verse. Bible verse – “John 13:7 You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand” and my favorite quote is, “Walk like a king, or walk like you don’t care who is king.””
Thank you for your time and good luck in your senior season.
“Thank you, sir.”
Photo credit: C.E. Byrd Athletics; C.E. Byrd RB Venzell Thompson