2007 Florida star has offers

HOOVER, Ala. - Some consider the class of 2006 in the state of Florida down somewhat from most years. Many are already talking about the great talent the state has in store for the class of 2007 and one of the top players in the class is Belle Glade (Fla.) Glades Central wide receiver/cornerback Deonte Thompson.

"He is going to be one of the top players in the state next year, if not the top guy," Glades Central head coach Willie Snead said. "He is probably one of the best in the state now. Last year under the old coach they focused a lot on the run so he didn't catch all that many passes, but we want to get the ball in his hands more this year."

The 6-foot-0, 180-pound Thompson had a solid showing at the Southeast Select 7-on-7 tournament this weekend as a wide receiver, but locked receivers down as a defensive back. However, most schools already know about him and they like Snead, see Thompson at his best with the ball in his hands.

"I have offers from Florida, Miami, West Virginia and Auburn already," Thompson said. "They have all offered me as a wide receiver. I prefer to play wide receiver, but I would play defensive back, I'm not picky, I just want to be out there doing my thing."

Though Thompson has already drawn quite a few prestigious offers, he's till taking a thorough look at things and checking out all options.

"I really don't have a list of anything, this whole things just started for me," Thompson said. "Some of the schools I'm interested in are Florida, Ohio State, Miami, Florida State, Alabama, Auburn and West Virginia. I went to camps at Alabama, Auburn and Florida this summer and I had a good time there. They were all real cool, I will probably get to check out some games and some more schools this fall."

While it's still early for Thompson to name a leader, he did grow up watching one in-state school in particular.

"I grew up a big Florida Gator fan," Thompson said. "I grew up watching Fred Taylor run the ball for them, he went to school here. I met coach Meyer when I was up there at camp and he is a great guy. We talked a while and he's a good guy and he is going to win a lot of games up there."

While Thompson may have grown up watching the Gators, there is one particular Big Ten school that Thompson has some ties to as well.

"My cousin Albert Dukes plays for Ohio State and he loves it up there," Thompson said. "We're close and we still talk a lot and he wants me to check it out. Santonio Holmes also went to school here and I know him a little bit too. We sort of have a mini pipeline going up there."

Thompson is a prospect Rivals.com will be monitoring closely through the year, as he warrants consideration for the Rivals 100 pre-evaluation team.