SoCals Top TE Prospect Gets Fourth
Junior to Watch: Dale Thompson
School: Corona (Calif.) Santiago
Advertisement
Position: Tight End
Size and Speed: Thompson stands 6-foot-5, weighs 250 pounds and runs the 40 in 4.7. Thompson has outstanding strength with his 300 pound bench and his 435 pound squat. He also has recorded a 29-inch vertical jump.
Honors: Thompson was selected all-league as junior even though he played with an injury that didn’t allow him to catch many passes. As a sophomore Thompson was selected all-county and all-league.
Statistics: As a junior, Thompson caught six passes for 125 yards and out of his six receptions, he scored three touchdowns. As a sophomore, Thompson caught 16 receptions for 350 yards and five touchdowns.
Favorite Colleges: Thompson already has written offers from USC, UCLA, ASU and Colorado. Oregon is also in the mix. “I have recently heard from Miami,” Thompson said. “I would have to add them to my list of schools.”
Skinny: Thompson is one of the best, if not the best tight end prospect in California this season. Thompson is the complete tight end prospect. He’s a great blocker with soft hands and runs disciplined and precise routes.
This talented tight end prospect missed part of his junior season with an injury. “Though I didn’t make a lot of catches as a junior,” Thompson said. “I was able to focus on my blocking.”
Thompson has the size and speed to create match-up problems for a defense. He is great after the catch and is hard to bring down. “I just turn up field and run defenders over,” Thompson said.
One can only imagine how good Thompson is going to be.
Thompson was at the USC camp two weeks ago and those who were in attendance came away very impressed with his overall athleticism. “I felt did a good job there,” Thompson said. “I was pleased.”
Obviously so was USC because the Trojans made an official offer last Thursday; joining UCLA, ASU and Colorado as teams that have offered the talented tight end from Santiago high school.
Our source at the camp informed us that Thompson was coming off a surgery and was still on the mend. When they took that into consideration they were even more impressed.
What is Thompson looking for in school?
“I want to attend a school with superior academics,” Thompson said. “I also want to attend a school with a winning tradition and a place where I can compete for early playing time.”