DB gets early look from Cocks, Tigers

Junior to Watch: Demarcus Thompson

School: Greenville (S.C.) Mann HS

Position: Cornerback/Wide Receiver

Size and speed: Thompson is 5-foot-10, weighs 160 pounds, and runs the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds.

Statistics: As a junior, he recorded 26 tackles and two interceptions.

Favorite Schools: South Carolina, Clemson, North Carolina, Virginia.

Skinny: A defensive back to watch next season in the Palmetto State is J.L. Mann’s Demarcus Thompson.

“He’s a kid that kept on getting better with each game last year, and we expect him to really have a good senior season,” Mann defensive coordinator Joe Watson said. “The best thing about him is his uncanny ability to go up and catch the football, whether it’s on offense or defense. He’ll go up in a crowd and come down with it time after time. He has unbelievable jumping ability and great hands.”

Thompson is far from being a one-dimensional player, though.

“He’s a good cover corner, for sure, but he’ll also come up and hit people when he has to,” Watson said. “He packs a punch for his size.”

South Carolina is showing the most early interest. Thompson was invited to the Gamecocks’ junior day and has received a persistent amount of mail from the home state program. Clemson, North Carolina and Virginia are also involved.

“We think he’ll get a lot more attention as people see him this spring and next season,” Watson said. “He can play.”

Academically, Thompson maintains a 2.5 GPA. He’s yet to take his test, but Watson said he takes AP courses at the magnet school and should be able to qualify without a problem.