The Los Angeles Chargers announced this week that they have signed former Spearman Lynx standout Brenen Thompson to his rookie contract. The team selected Thompson in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, with the 105th overall pick. The signing completes the Chargers' 2026 draft class.
To the best of anyone's knowledge, Thompson is the first Spearman High School graduate to be drafted and signed by an NFL team. Spearman is a town of fewer than 3,000 people in the Texas Panhandle. Thompson played at the University of Texas, the University of Oklahoma and Mississippi State. In 2025 at Mississippi State, he led the SEC in receiving yards with more than 1,000. He ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine.
According to national reporting, the Chargers drafted Thompson to add playmaking ability to an offense led by quarterback Justin Herbert. Reports from minicamp said Thompson caught a touchdown pass of more than 50 yards and made several other plays before the team broke for the summer.