Thompson likes Cal early on
Shaq Thompson said at the Palo Alto NIKE Camp that he's 6 feet and 185 pounds but that his doctor said there's a good chance he could grow five, six or even seven more inches.
That means the 2012 prospect from Sacramento (Calif.) Grant has a lot of thinking to do in terms of what position he projects best at down the road - whether it's staying at defensive back or possibly moving to linebacker.
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For him, any position is fine as long as he's on the field and with his ability and family history - his brother, Syd'Quan, played at Cal - there's a good chance lots of West Coast schools will come hard after him.
"A lot of schools are just looking at me as an athlete," Thompson said. "If I have to, I'll just go to linebacker. I just have to wait."
California and UNLV have reportedly verbally offered Thompson, who is also receiving interest from Oregon, Oregon State, Texas, UCLA, USC and others.
He's quick for his size and also physical, a perfect combination at safety who could grow into a linebacker once he matures more. Thompson said there is also a small chance that colleges will look at him to play wide receiver but that he's probably going to stay on defense.
As far as school lists, Cal has to be considered the early favorite because of his brother and Thompson said pretty much the same thing after the NIKE Camp at Stanford.
There is some consideration for Thompson to go his own way and pick another school other than Cal but even he admitted after the camp that when all is said and done he's still leaning toward the Golden Bears because of his brother but also because he's comfortable with the staff in Berkeley.
"At first I was thinking about it and if I followed my brother they'd probably call me 'Little Syd' but if I go a different pathway I can make another name for myself," Thompson said.
"When it comes to a decision I'll probably follow my brother's path. It's real important because I know most of the people there and I know they're going to help me out."