Mark Thompson: Florida Gators Class of 2016 signee

Mark Thompson

School: Dodge City CC (Cheltenham)

Hometown: La Mott, Pennsylvania

Height: 6-2

Weight: 228

Position: Running Back

Rivals Ranking: 4-star

Recruited by: Tim Skipper

Notable: Thompson is a big, bruising back with surprising speed, agility and quickness for his side. He played two seasons at Dodge City and was named a second team NJCAA All-American last year. Thompson rushed for more than 1,298 yards last season and 18 touchdowns. Thompson is on campus already and will look to win the starting running back spot with the departure of former starter Kelvin Taylor.

Quotable: “I just want to make sure when I come down there that I’m the complete product of Mark Thompson,” he said. “I want to play my best, week in and week out, and I want to live the excitement of the fans and the atmosphere down there instead of just talking about it. I’m going to get prepared for that moment.”

Nick de la Torre
A South Florida native, Nick developed a passion for all things sports at a very young age. His love for baseball was solidified when he saw Al Leiter’s no-hitter for the Marlins live in May of 1996. He was able to play baseball in college but quickly realized there isn’t much of a market for short, slow outfielders that hit around the Mendoza line. Wanting to continue with sports in some capacity he studied journalism at the University of Central Florida. Nick got his first start in the business as an intern for a website covering all things related to the NFL draft before spending two seasons covering the Florida football team at Bleacher Report. That job led him to GatorCountry. When he isn’t covering Gator sports, Nick enjoys hitting way too many shots on the golf course, attempting to keep up with his favorite t.v. shows and watching the Heat, Dolphins and Marlins. Follow him on twitter @NickdelatorreGC