Derek Thompson named UNT starting quarterback

by Sean Gorman of North Texas Daily

During last season, Thompson was part of UNT’s quarterback carousel, which also included Nathan Tune, Riley Dodge, and Chase Baine.

Derek Thompson

Speaking at his first press conference of the season, UNT head football coach Dan McCarney revealed the new leader of the Mean Green offense, naming redshirt sophomore Derek Thompson as the team’s starting quarterback.

The Glen Rose native beat out sophomore transfer Brent Osborn and freshman Andrew McNulty for the position.

“No question [Thompson will] start Thursday night. He had a good camp, a consistent camp, and I think a lot of guys believe in him,” McCarney said. “You see the respect I think he’s garnered throughout camp as we began August 4.”

McCarney said the quarterback competition became closer than he expected in recent practices, but Thompson’s leadership set him apart.

Thompson played in three games and started one last year before suffering a broken leg in UNT’s third game that ended his season.

During last season, Thompson was part of UNT’s quarterback carousel, which also included Nathan Tune, Riley Dodge, and Chase Baine.

The other 2010 UNT quarterbacks have each gone in a different direction – Tune graduated, Dodge transferred to McNeese State, and Baine was moved to wide receiver.

UNT will follow Thompson’s lead Thursday when it visits Miami for its first game against Florida International.