Former South Dakota Lineman Tom Compton Praised for Pre-Season Play with Washington Redskins

Two games into the 2013 NFL pre-season, the Washington Redskins are turning heads with a 2-0 start.

One Washington player trying to impress is former South Dakota offensive lineman Tom Compton, who's in his second camp with the Redskins, after being cut just prior to the start of last season and spending most of the year on the Washington practice squad.

So far this pre-season, Compton has one start and has spent a considerable amount of time with Washington's second team offense.

In Monday's 24-13 win over the Steelers, Compton's play earned him high praise from ESPN.com's NFC East beat writer John Keim:

The offensive lineman who really stood out, at least with the second unit, was left tackle Tom Compton.

That’s the best I’ve seen him play (granted, the sample size isn’t huge, but I’ll include practices as well).

I liked that he was facing rookie Jarvis Jones, who has a thing or two to learn but who is a talented first-round draft pick.

The sort of guy Compton needs to do well against. Compton showed excellent balance and technique. On one rush, he was aggressive with his punch but Jones got into him a little.

However, Compton was able to reset and anchor.

That happened on another occasion as well. Later, Jones beat him off the snap another time, but Compton recovered to shove him off his path.

His run-blocking was fine, too.

All in all, a solid night

Compton was a sixth round selection of the Redskins in the 2012 NFL Draft.  He was the 193rd overall pick.

While at USD, the Rosemount, Minnesota native was a three-time Great West Conference selection and the GWC's Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2011.

After his senior season, he played at the 2012 East–West Shrine Game.