Syd Thompson: Junior name to learn

One of the top recruits out West next year will be Sacramento (Calif.) Grant athlete Syd Thompson. Thompson, 5-10, 170 pounds had a huge junior season earning State Junior of the Year honors this past year after helping to lead Grant to the Div I San Jaoquin Section Championship.

Thompson had a dominant season at both running back and cornerback but says he would like to play corner in college. The athlete rushed 100 times for 900 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 17 balls for 281 yards and three more scores. He also averaged 33 yards per punt return and 37 yards on kickoff returns. On defense, he totaled 68 tackles and three picks, two he returned for touchdowns.

Thompson’s uncle B.T has been a fixture at the two California Nike Camps for the last seven years and as a result, we’ve seen Syd since he was in the 8th grade. Every year he gets a little bigger, a little faster and has become one heck of a football player.

“I didn’t even hear I won State Junior of the Year until about two weeks after the fact,” Thompson said. “I couldn’t believe that but I was excited. I put a lot of hard work in and I’m already out there training for next year.”

Although it’s still very early in the recruiting process for a rising senior, Thompson said he has a pretty good idea of where he wants to play his college ball.

“I know I want to stay out West and play in the Pac 10,” Thompson said. “I’ve always liked UCLA and USC and I like what Cal is doing as well. Those are probably my top three but I’m not closing the door on anyone yet. I’m going to enjoy the whole process, take a few unofficial visits to the L.A schools in the summer and see how things go. No one has offered me yet but I’ve heard once Signing Day is over, a few could start heading my way.”