He was a walk-on hoping to get a shot at playing time and now he's the defensive captain ready to play in the big time.
Donnel Thompson earned his way onto the University of Wisconsin's football team after having suffered a broken arm his senior year in high school. He then walked on to the Badgers' defense as a true freshman and last season as a sophomore, led the team with 141 tackles.
This year, Thompson finished tied for the team lead with 102 tackles as Wisconsin led the nation in scoring defense, allowing a mere 10.2 points per game.
Thompson chatted with fans on Dec. 18 about the Rose Bowl and what his team will have to do to win it. Read what Donnel had to say in the transcript of his chat below.
Donnel Thompson: How's everybody doing? It's an honor to be here. I'd be happy to answer your questions.
Question: Donnel, what is it like playing for Barry Alvarez?
Donnel Thompson: It's special playing for Barry Alvarez. It's an honor, and he's a fun coach to play for.
Question: Are you happy your team is going to the Rose Bowl?
Donnel Thompson: It feels great, it's one of the dreams you have as a kid, and we're just working really hard to play our best game.
Question: Hey Donnel, do you think the Bruins might be in for a letdown against you guys now that they are out of the hunt for the championship?
Donnel Thompson: I don't think so. They're a great team. It's the Rose bowl, they're at home. We're expecting them to be fired up.
Question: Are the rumors true that Ron Dayne will be back next year?
Donnel Thompson: To tell you the truth, I don't know. You'd have to ask Ron.
Question: Other than Dayne your teammate, what running back impressed you the most in the Big 10?
Donnel Thompson: That's a tough question. I can't really think of any. Iowa and Michigan had some good backs. I worry about our team.
Question: Donnel, have you guy s changed anything in order to stop UCLA's offense?
Donnel Thompson: We can't control what UCLA does. We have to be in our right spots, and tackle the ball when it's in front of us. Hopefully good things will happen.
Question: Donnel how does UCLA present a problem for you at your position?
Donnel Thompson: The biggest challenge is that you can't overload against the run or the pass. At linebacker, you have to play both. That's gonna be a really big challenge for us. They run the ball well, but they've got one of the best QBs in the country too. We don't know about zone or man yet. We'll game plan a little more as the game gets closer, and we may change from one to the other during the game if we need to.
Question: What other schools recruited you out of high school?
Donnel Thompson: I was recruited by small schools. I broke my arm my senior year ... Northern Iowa, a lot of Division II schools.
Question: Donnel, what happened against Michigan?
Donnel Thompson: You have to give Michigan a lot of credit. They were ready to play, and they had a good game plan. I think we came back and regrouped and did a pretty good job against Penn St.
Question: Donnel, I know your Dad and he used to be the head football coach at Madison West, how has he helped your football career?
Donnel Thompson: My Dad did little things for me ... When everybody else is done with practice, I hear the little extra words from my dad. He was All-American in high school, he's always been a role model. I look up to him.
Question: What was your reaction to Kevin Greene run in with his assistant coach. In the heat of the battle?
Donnel Thompson: Re: Kevin Greene, I don't really know the story. It's finals time for us, so I don't have much time to watch SportsCenter. I can't speak for Kevin Greene, but you don't ever want to put your hands on a coach. But in the heat of battle, everybody wants to win. I'm sure it was a misunderstanding.
Question: Do you ever make a mistake on the field like missing tackles or blowing coverages?
Donnel Thompson: Not necessarily one that other people would notice. Sometimes you blatantly miss a tackle when you're having a good game. People wouldn't notice unless they were watching the film. I'm a perfectionist, though.
Question: Ok Donnel, since your a perfectionist, do you get to a point in a game when you know what the offense is getting ready to do and snuff it out before the even snap the ball?
Donnel Thompson: Hopefully you get to that point every game. You want to know a lot of what they're gonna do before the game. Then you start seeing those formations, and you're prepared and in a position to stop them.
Question: Donnel, Mike Samuel isn't flashy but where do you think you would be without his solid play?
Donnel Thompson: Mike Samuel's a competitor -- almost like Bishop -- just a winner. He finds a way to win. If it's 3rd and 15, he might run for it, he might pass, something crazy might happen. I like the way he plays.
Question: Is your approach to the Rose Bowl that it is just another game, or do the butterflies take over and you know it's a lot more than that?
Donnel Thompson: Obviously it's a bigger game, but we've been really successful all year, so you don't want to overplay the game. You have to find a happy medium between the two.
Question: Donnel, what do you think of your chances next season with Scott Kavanaugh at QB or a freshman I heard about could you tell us about him?
Donnel Thompson: I couldn't tell you who's gonna be starting next year, but we've got a nice young QB named Brooks Bollinger. But we've also got Peter Lee, who's a redshirt, and Scott Kavanaugh's very accurate and a good QB too. They're all very capable guys.
Question: Donnel, what are your NFL aspirations?
Donnel Thompson: NFL -- I don't think about it too much. You never know what's gonna happen. The next play could be your last. If you're looking ahead too much, you're not playing your best, and you're not enjoying the time you have now. We're 10-1, going to the Rose Bowl, this is once in a lifetime.
Question: How many tickets do you guys get for the Rose Bowl? Same as regular season games?
Donnel Thompson: We get two more tickets -- 6 each.
Question: Donnel, how big of an advantage is having the crowd at Camp Randall rooting for you?
Donnel Thompson: The crowd is huge, it's like a 12th and 13th man. The offense can't hear, it's intimidating -- a sea of red, people going crazy. Especially for me. I'm from Madison, right down the street. It's amazing. Hopefully we'll get as many people out to the Rose Bowl as we can.
Question: Donnel, many people have questioned your schedule strength. Did you ever wish you played better opponents?
Donnel Thompson: No, it's the Big 10. It's definitely one of the best conferences in the country. If you can go through the Big 10 with only one loss, you deserve whatever Bowl you get.
Question: Hey Donnel! Any thoughts on the outcome of the Rose?
Donnel Thompson: I think the Rose is two very good teams. I just want us to go out there and play Badger football, play our game. If that happens, I'll be satisfied.
Donnel Thompson: Thanks everybody and thanks CBS SportsLine. It's fun talking to everyone. See you at the Rose Bowl!
