Deonte Thompson, the eighth-ranked wide receiver in the nation and number 63 player overall in the Scout.com rankings, might be the fastest high school football player in the state of Florida. His list of favorite schools has been juggled a few times but Thompson plans to come up with a definitive list of five sometime before the end of August and that list will include the Florida Gators.
Thompson scored a touchdown Friday night in Glades Central’s narrow loss to Palm Beach Gardens in a preseason game. The nationally ranked team from Belle Glade held out several starters and the first stringers that did play didn’t go the full distance. The regular season begins Friday for Glades Central.
Over the summer, Thompson has had several schools on his list of favorites but he’s ready to pare the list down to a very manageable five.
“I plan on having my top five rounded out later this month,” Thompson said Wednesday night. “I had five before but I have more schools I want to look at. Some time this month I want to get a top five.”
The Florida Gators have been on every list of favorites that Thompson has compiled. He knows Florida’s situation at wide receiver with three senior starters and a junior that is likely to leave early for the NFL. He says the Gators will definitely be in his final five.
“Florida is most definitely in there,” Thompson said. “I grew up liking them. I like Coach Urban Meyer too. I think I could fit into that offense very well. Our offense is very similar to Florida’s.”
His Glades Central team has been traveling for much of the summer doing camps and just working out as a team. All the travel has limited the amount of contact Thompson has had with college coaches.
“I haven’t really talked to too many lately,” he said. “We were on a tour with our team so I didn’t have time.”
Thompson is a multi-talented receiver that has deep speed to go with outstanding moves so he’s not picky about how he gets the ball. His team runs a lot of screens, slants and curls and because Thompson runs a 4.28 40, the long ball definitely comes into play. Thompson can run all the routes. He only needs a quarterback to look his way once the whistle sounds.
“Throw me the ball and I can do something,” he said. “The quicker you get me the ball I can score. I like catching the bomb or making someone look stupid in a close situation. Anyway I can score six is how I like to get the ball.”
He wants to fit in with a college that has a good offensive plan in place and a coach that makes him feel right at home.
“I am going to have to be able to sit down with the head coach and feel comfortable,” Thompson said. “I want to be part of a good offensive scheme and a place I can compete early and play.”
Thompson’s speed makes him one of the nation’s most highly sought wide receivers. He’s in the driver’s seat when it comes to picking favorites because everybody wants him. However, only five will make the final cut and the Florida Gators will be in the final mix.