Former Badgers DL signs with 49ers as undrafted free agent

TL;DR

Former Badger James Thompson has signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent after a challenging college career. He transitioned from Wisconsin to Illinois, where he became a consistent starter and caught the attention of NFL scouts.

Key points

James Thompson signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent.
He previously played for the University of Illinois after transferring from Wisconsin.
Thompson had a challenging college career, including injuries that affected his time at Wisconsin.

James ThompsonSan Francisco 49ersUniversity of WisconsinUniversity of Illinois

Former Badger James Thompson landed his NFL opportunity Saturday, signing with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent after a winding final two seasons of his college career that took him from Wisconsin’s injury list to an every-week starter at the University of Illinois.

Playing for former Badgers head coach Brett Bielema, Thompson finished his college career at Illinois. He played and started all 13 games for the Fighting Illini in 2025, a durable capstone season that helped reset his trajectory after a frustrating 2024 in Madison.

That 2024 season with the Badgers never fully got off the ground. Thompson missed the first 10 games due to injury, a long absence that kept him from building momentum in what became his final year in a Wisconsin uniform. The move to Illinois gave him a fresh start and, more importantly, consistent snaps, putting him back on the field weekly and back on NFL evaluators’ radar.

For Wisconsin, Thompson’s signing counts as another former Badger getting a shot at the next level, even if it came after he finished elsewhere. For Thompson, he gets the opportunity to join a winning program at the NFL level that has been working to re-build their DL.

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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football transfer James Thompson signs with NFL team

Q&A

What college did James Thompson play for before joining the 49ers?

James Thompson played for the University of Illinois after transferring from the University of Wisconsin.

How did injuries affect James Thompson's college football career?

Injuries limited Thompson's 2024 season at Wisconsin, causing him to miss the first 10 games, which impacted his momentum and opportunities.

What position does James Thompson play for the San Francisco 49ers?

James Thompson plays as a defensive lineman for the San Francisco 49ers.