Thompson grabs first offer
Offer No. 1 is in for Highland (Kan.) Community College defensive tackle Darnell Thompson. It arrived early in the week and came from UAB, a school closer to his family home in North Carolina that his current junior college life in eastern Kansas.
The offer from the Blazers is flattering. And Thompson says it is already under strong consideration. At the same time, though, he may have more options before things are said and done.
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"Illinois is talking to me a lot," Thompson said. "I talk to them, like, every other day. I think they are coming in this week, like, next week actually. They like me a lot on tape. The DC and the head coach like me a lot. They are just waiting to get my grades. Then, we're going to go from there."
Coaches from Arizona State has also been in frequent contact with Thompson, but the Sun Devils seem further away from making things official with an offer than the Illini. Whatever the case, Thompson will evaluate new schools as they arrive. For now, he's focused on the one offer that has already been extended.
"The UAB offer came in on Monday night," Thompson said. "They called me up on Monday and offered. They were talking about the school and how much they like me and how I can be an impact player."
Despite his recruitment being in its early stages, Thompson already has a rough checklist of sorts. There are certain things he's looking for in a college and he plans to examine every program that enters the chase with precision.
"It's playing time and education, but it's really about the coaches," Thompson said. "I want the best coaches that put me in the best predicament. After college, I want to get to the NFL. I want the best coaches that can give me an opportunity to get to the NFL."
Thompson is on pace to leave Highland in May and will have four years to play three seasons at the school of his choice.