Five-star recaps Arizona State visit
Arizona State has moved up the list for Shaq Thompson after his weekend visit but the five-star safety from Sacramento (Calif.) Grant probably isn't done with trips yet and doesn't plan to make his commitment until the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
The Sun Devils did a great job impressing Thompson this weekend even though they lost to instate rival Arizona and the 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect said they'll remain under consideration.
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"It was a great experience," Thompson said. "I've never been to Arizona so it was actually nice weather, it was a great atmosphere and the fans are die-hard Sun Devil fans. I liked the trip overall.
"They've moved up on my list. I really like Arizona and it's a really nice place out there and I could see myself there for the next four years."
Thompson said it's too early to be concerned whether Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson will retain his job especially after the Sun Devils collapse with three-straight losses to UCLA, Washington State and Arizona.
Since Thompson is still months away from making his decision he's going to watch how things happen from here.
"It's kind of too early to tell," Thompson said of Erickson's situation. "We'll see how it plays out from here on."
Arizona State, Cal and Washington have become the three frontrunners for Thompson, who said Oregon has slipped a little bit because of its location.
As for other visits, the Sacramento Grant standout said he's considering an official visit to Utah in either December or January, then he will contemplate his options and make his decision at the Army game.
"I really don't have a top list but I do have Cal, Washington, ASU and Oregon," Thompson said. "Oregon has moved down because I'm used to a city and that's more like a small town. I would like it a little bigger.
"I'm thinking about Utah and I'm thinking about taking my visit there. I'm either going there in December or January and then I'm going to sit down and wait and make my decision at the Army Bowl."
Rivals.com rates Thompson as the top safety and No. 12 prospect in the 2012 class. He's second in the California state rankings behind Monrovia defensive lineman Ellis McCarthy.