Justin Thompson is a linebacker for the Pittsburgh Panthers who hails from Bowie, Maryland, and attended Good Counsel High School. As a junior and senior, he earned All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference honors and recorded 45 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble during his final prep season. Thompson enrolled at Pitt in January 2025 and appeared in two games as a true freshman on defense and special teams before being redshirted. He registered one quarterback hurry in his debut against NC State.