Thompson taking visits

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. - Safety Lucas Thompson said that recently his focus has been on the football field, where he and his Winter Garden (Fla.) West Orange teammates are off to a strong start.

"Things are going good," Thompson said. "We are 4-1, first winning season in a while. So things are going really good."

The 6-foot-1, 187-pound prospect has been contributing on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he is playing some as a slot receiver. Defensively, he is lining up at safety.

Safety is where he has drawn the eyes of college football teams and his abilities at the position have led to over 20 schools extending offers.

He shared how his recruiting has been going since the season began.

"No new schools in the picture, but the old schools that have been involved have been dropping by," Thompson said. "Cincinnati just came in today and last week Miami came through. South Carolina came a couple weeks ago to one of our games."

So far this season, he has taken just one trip when he traveled down to Miami in September to watch the Hurricanes host Ohio State.

"I made it down there for the Ohio State game," Thompson said. "On campus, I just loved the environment. It was really good. Coach (Terry)Richardson showed me around and told me a lot about things down there. I got to see the fieldhouse, the locker rooms, the weight room, all of that. It was really nice."

The three-star defensive back has had Al Golden's squad at the top for his services for months. That remains the case but he admits he is keeping an eye on the NCAA investigation that is ongoing for the 'Canes.

"They are still my leader," Thompson said. "There is still the little situation with them. With what happened with the past Miami Hurricane teams, it doesn't have anything to do with this coaching staff, but I just want to see what happens to them with regards to the NCAA. I want to see what the probation could be. Nothing wrong with the coaching staff there though, I like them a lot."

Thompson said the coaching staff had a simple message for him with regards to how he should approach the eventual outcome of the investigation.

"They told me to expect the impossible," Thompson said. "They also told me that if I want to be a Hurricane deep-down, then I should be a Hurricane."

With that in mind, Thompson admits that he would like to know the outcome before he makes his decision and eventually signs.

"I know I want to go to a bowl game or a championship game," Thompson said. "If I don't know the outcome, I probably wouldn't commit to them."

In addition to the Hurricanes, Thompson shared a few other schools that are amongst his top options. He said his top five, in order, is Miami, South Carolina, West Virginia, Louisville, and East Carolina. In addition to those five, Wisconsin is also in the picture. He intends to hit the road for more visits in the coming weeks.

"I am taking my next official on the 29th to East Carolina," Thompson said. "I also want to see South Carolina, Louisville, and maybe Wisconsin."

When Thompson visits schools, he is just looking for a home away from home.

"I just want a place where I can fit in," Thompson said. "If I can fit in, I am good."

Thompson plans to announce his decision at the Under Armour All-American Game in early January.