PHENIX CITY, Ala. — He moved just a few miles down the road and that put him into a new state. Ray Thornton was a star in Columbus (Ga.) last fall, but now he is Alabama at Central High School in Phenix City.

Thornton is surrounded by a lot of talent, he plays for a top coach in Jamey Dubose, so plenty of college coaches have stopped by there this spring. One was D.J. Looney of Mississippi State. It was not long after that visit that Thornton received his first offer.

"Getting that first offer was great and it was a great feeling because Mississippi State is the first college to believe in me," said Thornton. "They came through the school, then I talked to them on the phone and they told me that they liked me and wanted to offer me.

"I have watched them on T.V. and I like how they play. I like their offense, I like their style and them offering me first definitely has me interested in finding out more about them."

He does not know as much about the Bulldogs as he does a few other schools in the SEC. One he knows a lot about is Florida. He is hearing from the Gators and he would love nothing more than to pick up an offer from the school he grew up rooting for.

"Florida was my dream school when I was little. Part of my family is from Jacksonville (Fla.), so I grew up going down there to see them and spend time with them, so that is when I started liking Florida.

"Tim Tebow and Chris Rainey are two of my favorite players that I grew up watching, so I watched a lot of their games when they were at Florida. They produce a lot of players and I like it there a lot.

"I have been there for a couple of camps, I have been to one game and I love it there. If I get an offer from Florida one day, that will be special to me. That was my dream school."

Outside of Florida, other schools the 6-foot-1, 195 pound rising junior safety is hearing from are Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia and Tennessee.

He grew up playing a lot of offense, but Thornton is now a full-time defensive back. He is a big safety who loves to come downhill and he feels he is strong in coverage. Look for his recruitment to pick up.