Aer Lingus Classic College Football Diaries: Skylar Thompson

Let’s start at the beginning, you came out of high school as a four star recruit after an unbelievable senior year with Ford Hosage. What was your recruitment experience like, and why did you eventually choose to commit to Kansas State?

Yeah, so you know, honestly, my recruiting process was pretty slow. I didn't really have a ton of offers, and it kind of started late in my junior year. I  had a list of schools that had been talking to me, and, you know, I had already  had conversations with my parents and high school coach of where I liked and where I thought I fit in the best for when or if those schools offered me that, you know, I would be prepared for what they had to offer to me. 

And K State was always one of those schools that were high on my list. They had a different approach than some other schools back during that time. I had so many great feelings for the school and the university and I had visited there multiple times before, they had offered me anything. They pride themselves on the family atmosphere, and just how they treat people and how welcoming it is throughout the whole town of Manhattan, the university, everything. 

So when I got that offer, I ended up committing about two weeks later. And you know, everything worked out great. The rest was history. You know, I stayed there for six years. I red shirted, and then my senior year I got hurt and used my covid year. So I spent some time there, and truly have no regrets. It was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

From watching back some tape, the time that you guys had there was just unbelievable. For people that aren't aware, you had the chance to play under two incredible coaches. Firstly, what was it like to be coached by none other than the legend, Bill Snyder?

Oh, you know, it was awesome. It's something I'm definitely looking back on, I am very grateful for that time. There were a lot of, you know, core values and traits that I learned from Coach Snyder and just the way that he ran a football program. There were a lot of things that didn't really make sense to me as a young kid for why we were doing what we were doing, or how we were doing it. But the more that I was removed from it, the more that I realized how much he was teaching me, and the pain of discipline and how important that is. I think the whole football program there is built around discipline. And I thought that was a great thing, that when Coach Kleiman came in, he picked up right where that left off. And that's really what's contributed to our success there for a very long time,we're a very disciplined football team. We do things the right way over and over again, and so it translates to the field. I'm very thankful for the time that I got with Coach Snyder, everybody knows who he is. And everybody talks about that when I tell them that I played at K-State, and want to hear the stories and all those things, and there's a lot of them, I'm very, very thankful for that experience with him.

You go from the legend and Snyder to a guy that's really respected around the league now, in coach Kleinman. What was it like in terms of comparing both of them. Did you appreciate his approach? 

You know, honestly, I love Coach Kleiman. I thought he was a great fit for Kansas State. Whenever Coach Snyder retired, there were a lot of questions of who is going to be next and who is going to be able to fill in those shoes of Coach Snyder. I thought he really stood out from the moment that coach Kleiman stepped in there, he was himself, he wasn't trying to be anything else. I just appreciated coach Kleinman from the moment he got in there, he instilled belief in me and instilled confidence, and had built some trust with me, and I felt like that's really allowed me to go play my best football whenever I was out in the field. And, you know, anytime when you have a great relationship with your coach as a player, you want to give a little bit more and you want to fight a little bit harder come game day, because you want to go win for that guy.

One of the things that has changed since your time in college football and with your time at K-State is the fact that college football is going international with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, and the game is growing. Do you wish you were playing in this game? And have you been to Ireland or Europe before?

No I have not. I have not been but the Steelers, we actually play over in Dublin as well, and play the Vikings week four this year. And previously, when I was with the Dolphins, we played the chiefs in Germany. So I've gotten to experience that international feel of a game. And it is incredible, it is phenomenal, it's so fun, such a great experience for us players, because that was my first time traveling out of the country. Especially as a college kid, yeah, I'm very jealous, you know, I think it's tremendous that K State gets that. It's called the Farmageddon game, and it's always a good game to the very, very end. Both teams have very similar programs with similar play styles and values, and so you guys are definitely going to have a great game. It's going to be a lot of fun. And I know our fans and their fans travel. It'll be a great experience, I'm definitely jealous. I wish that was taking place from when we were back there, but thankful and excited for those guys that they're getting that opportunity now,

Talking about electric crowds, What can Irish people expect from K-State fans when they come to town in Dublin?

You guys are probably going to be wondering why there's a bunch of purple everywhere. Because they're going to travel. And that's one thing that I loved about playing at K-State, is it didn't matter where we were playing or what time or place, like our fans were there and they bring it. I think, truly, from a player's perspective, when you have a fan base that rallies behind you, like that, just kind of how I was saying going and playing for a coach that you have a great relationship with and love you, you just want to give a little bit more for them. You want to put on a good show for them and go get a win. And that's what it's going to be for those. Our fan base will be there loud and proud, wearing purple, and they'll be fired up for that game.

If you had to pick your favorite moment from your career at K-State, what would it be?

Yeah, it was 2019, we beat Oklahoma, I think it was coach Kleiman's first year there at K-State We played them at home, Oklahoma was ranked, I want to say, fifth in the country at the time, and we were definitely underdogs, not given a chance to win the game. And we won the game, went down to the final stretch on an onside kick that we recovered to win it, and all the fans rushed the field, and I just remember being in a swarm of people in the middle of the field, just like it was one of the best moments, like in football that I've ever experienced. It was tremendous. And I happened to play one of my best games in my career too.

You've had a career many would envy, honestly, like some of the things you've done are incredible. Is there any one bit of advice that you wish you could give to your younger self looking back on the night.

Honestly, I truly have no regrets. I've been playing this game for almost 20 years now, and I've seen about all of it, you know, I've, I've faced some injuries, I've had success, I've seen just about everything you can imagine, and been able to play at the highest level and get that experience as well. I would say just my overall advice for myself and for everyone is to just keep believing in themselves. There's going to be times where you're going to get tested and you're going to get challenged and adversity is going to hit but it's that inner belief in yourself that you can overcome anything you put your mind to, and anything you work for. And there's not anything that can take that away from you. I think that's the best piece of advice I could give anybody, whether if you're a football player, just have somebody out in the workforce whatever it may be, you just gotta always keep that belief in yourself and keep that drive and whatever you're passionate about, and don't let anything or anyone deteriorate that.

The final question from me is an obvious one. The Aer Lingus College Football Classic takes place in the Aviva Stadium on the 23rd of August between K-State & Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland. You have to pick a winner, who will it be? 

It's gonna be K-State, but I think it's going to be a great game. I think Iowa State's a good, good team. They got a good squad up there, but I'm going to pick us. I got us winning 31-28, I'm going to get us winning by three points.

Skylar Thompson’s journey from under-the-radar high school prospect to K-State legend and now NFL quarterback is a testament to his perseverance, passion, and belief. The former Wildcat truly bleeds purple! 

As K-State prepares to take the international stage in Dublin, fans have a unique opportunity to witness the next chapter of Wildcat history unfold in real time. 

Don’t miss your chance to be part of it.

**Tickets are available for the 2025 Aer Lingus College Football Classic**, where K-State takes on Iowa State in a battle of two proud programs at the iconic Aviva Stadium on August 23rd. Join thousands of fans traveling from across the U.S. and Europe for what promises to be an unforgettable college football experience in the heart of Dublin.

Secure your seat today and be part of another unforgettable college football celebration in Dublin Ireland.

Purchase Your Tickets Here

#MuchMoreThanAGame | #TouchdownDublin | #TouchdownIreland