It’s been a big summer for Hollywood, with “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” shaking the movie industry out of its post-pandemic doldrums. But for Jerrin Thompson — the Texas football team’s own film buff — studying pre-snap reads, alignments and assignments provides a lot more entertainment than the latest blockbuster.

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“That's one thing I take pride in: I love watching film and studying the game,” Thompson told reporters after Wednesday’s morning practice. “I got a little theater in my apartment, so I get the guys over, especially the safeties, and we put on the big screen.”

But why not just stay late at the Moncrief-Neuhaus Athletic Center, which boasts plenty of film rooms for players to study their trade?

“You want to relax, and there's a lot of bonding going on, but at the same time, watching film helps all of us,” Thompson said. “And you never know; I may want to be a coach one day.”

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Coaching up the newcomers

Thompson certainly serves as a coach on the field, and that should help a revamped secondary quickly adapt to several new faces. Safety Jalen Catalon transferred in from Arkansas, and cornerback Gavin Holmes arrived from Wake Forest. Two true freshmen, cornerback Malik Muhammad and safety Derek Williams, also have impressed during preseason workouts.

All four newcomers could see significant playing time. That means Thompson’s understanding of coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense — and his own ability to communicate with the other defensive backs — could prove particularly important, his coaches say.

Earlier this month, Kwiatkowski said Thompson’s willingness to spend the extra time in the weight room, at the facility and, yep, in the film room sets a good example for the younger players.

“Jerrin and the veteran guys, they have credibility,” Kwiatkowski said. “Leadership comes from guys doing what they're supposed to do and having the other guys trusting them. (Jerrin) and those other guys are being selfless and pulling guys along with them through the grind.”

Thompson has been through the grind at Texas as much as anyone in the program. Now in his fourth year out of Lufkin, the senior has played in 35 games and made 20 starts. He’s one of the few players who predates the arrival of head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff in 2021, and Sarkisian credits Thompson and some of his fellow seniors for accepting their roles as team leaders.

"They’ve been with us from the beginning, so they're very comfortable with the things that they know are meaningful to us as a staff,” Sarkisian said during spring workouts, when Texas first welcomed some of the new faces. “They can be that conduit between a younger player and ourselves (because), a lot of times, that carries more weight coming from a player than it does coming from a coach. The more those guys can support that message, the more impactful it is on our team."

Thompson embraces that responsibility, especially in what could be his final season.

“I need to be a leader out there and be a safety who puts guys around me where they need to be and make sure everybody's on the same page,” he said. “In year three in the same defense, you kind of understand how (the coaches) want things to be done.”

Against the run or pass, a proven playmaker

Thompson usually serves as the field safety in the quarters defensive alignment used by Kwiatkowski. At a sinewy 6-feet and 190 pounds, Thompson thrives in pass coverage but also has a willingness to stick his nose in the box and clog up the running game. Last season, he led all Big 12 safeties with seven passes defended, and he was the only safety in the conference not to allow a passing touchdown, according to Pro Football Focus. He also ranked third on the team with 83 tackles, the most of any returning player.

But Thompson says he wants to focus more on game-changing plays rather than any set of statistics. Texas ranked in the bottom third in the nation last season with 1.1 takeaways per game, and Thompson thinks more interceptions and more fumble recoveries will be crucial for the Longhorns’ Big 12 title hopes.

And that’s something not always seen on film.

“We're taking pride in getting the ball, and it’s just a lot of effort and practice,” he said. “That's one thing I feel like we have improved tremendously from last year. We’ve had plenty of turnovers (in camp); punching the ball, interceptions, tips, overthrows. That's one thing we have focused on, trying to get that ball back.”

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Safety Jerrin Thompson embraces role as Texas football's film buff