2013 Gator Commitment #16: WR Chris Thompson -Gainesville High School, Gainesville FL

[ThePlayer]

Originally Posted by FloridaxGators1

Just watched his highlights... he's good... very good

How high is he ranked?

[mfpardnor2]

Welcome to the family.

[rserina]

Originally Posted by ThePlayer

How high is he ranked?

Unranked by two of them, ranked two stars by another (which essentially means they haven't graded him either). ESPN has him as a three and #82 receiver.

The whole thing is sort of weird with Thompson. He has great (confirmed) speed and he has been on the radar for awhile, but he hasn't received many offers and he hasn't so much as been given a ranking from two sites. I don't get it.

Whatever the case, he has major speed, the staff has followed him very closely, and he has competed in front of our coaches at camp. Doubt he will be a difference maker, but he certainly gives us a nice complement to bigger guys like Fullwood and Hawkins.

[gatorich]

First off, I think this will be a solid pick-up. I love getting kids that WANT to be Gators! Hope Chris works his tail off to show he deserves to be a Gator.
Next, it has been no secret that CT wanted to be a Gator very badly. That has probably made several schools shy away from him and just doesn't make him as big a story for the recruiting sites and thus the low rankings. If WM and company like him enough to offer then I don't care about the stars.

[StrangeGator]

He seems to fit well with the other committed WRs, especially if his speed is for real. I hope we continue to pursue some plus-one types at WR.

[MadduxFanII]

The dynamic from now until signing day is going to be really interesting. 21 commitments in a class that should have between 24 and 26 players. Not a lot of seats left in the airplane. I imagine Muschamp and Co. will invest as much time playing defense (holding on to commitments) as they will pursuing the uncommitted.

This is a different sort of strategy than we've pursued in the past. Interesting to see how it all plays out.

[Gator_84_88]

Originally Posted by rserina

Unranked by two of them, ranked two stars by another (which essentially means they haven't graded him either). ESPN has him as a three and #82 receiver.

The whole thing is sort of weird with Thompson. He has great (confirmed) speed and he has been on the radar for awhile, but he hasn't received many offers and he hasn't so much as been given a ranking from two sites. I don't get it.

Whatever the case, he has major speed, the staff has followed him very closely, and he has competed in front of our coaches at camp. Doubt he will be a difference maker, but he certainly gives us a nice complement to bigger guys like Fullwood and Hawkins.

Rserina so much of it is which camps (if any) they attend. Kids go to some camps that are not going to give them any visibility. A lot of the time it's finances. I don't know Chris' situation but two star or no star i am elated he is a Gator.

[TnCamoGator]

Originally Posted by SirRaj

I know there are some people disappointed that we got Thompson rather than Bailey. However, the coaches have seen this guy extensively and have seen how he responds to their coaching. Raw potential (apparently 4.37, 40), drive, and coach-ability = solid SEC contributor without the drama.

4.37??? Niceee! The highlights I watched were of his freshman year and he's really talented. He's so underrated it ain't funny. Diamond in the rough is what he is. I'm so glad he's a gator. This is the first WR class I've been excited about since harvin came to town. (not saying much cause recruiting that position since then has been painful) but still I'm excited to see him, fulwood, Hawkins, and Adams terrorize SEC secondary's!!

[DuPontGator]

Originally Posted by deep_threat

Nvm about my earlier question AZ lol. I just saw this on Twitter. I'm STONED

I got the nachos...

[GatorSam]

I don't know about his size. I'd rather see all of our wideouts be 6 ft+.

[DMann]

Ace Sanders is Spur's top WR this year and Thompson is already taller and probably weighs as much as Sanders who is a senior (I believe). I think their speed is about equal.

Well earned offer and welcome Chris.

[deep_threat]

http://www.hudl.com/athlete/909787/highlights/9585377

Junior season HUDL highlights. Solid!!

[deep_threat]

I'm not sure what the difference is between his highlights and any other 4 star wide out. I don't really understand rankings.

[sflgator05]

Originally Posted by GatorSam

I don't know about his size. I'd rather see all of our wideouts be 6 ft+.

I think his size it what is working against him.Elite receivers are now easily over 6'2 creating mismatches but it won't be a problem once he hits the weights.

[Gatorallstar1012]

Originally Posted by deep_threat

I'm not sure what the difference is between his highlights and any other 4 star wide out. I don't really understand rankings.

Sometimes i think its where you play, and who offers you more than anything but i dont care about rankings i just want good players who are willing to work hard which he seems to be.

[DieAGator]

Originally Posted by rserina

Doubt he will be a difference maker, but he certainly gives us a nice complement to bigger guys like Fullwood and Hawkins.

You say that and I tend to agree. It's easy to fall in love with the idea that our staff found The Hope diamond-in-the-rough. We do that from time to time, all fan bases are prone to that. But he can obviously catch and with his speed if all he does is force defenses to stay close maybe it makes the "better" WRs more successful.

I have no idea routes our offense will utilize and I doubt could be any better with button hooks than some of our WRs in previous schemes. Staff either believes he can get some important things done on the field or got tired of trying to close WRs.

Anyone notice any poor technique or inabilities in his film?

Here's what Scout says:
"Thompson has very good speed. He can get behind a secondary or make defenders miss with his quickness. He can go up and get the ball and has very good leaping ability and body control. Perhaps his strongest attribute is his ability to separate from defenders, especially coming out of his breaks. This is a big play receiver who's likely destined to play in the slot because he lacks ideal size to play on the outside.

Strengths:

Downfield Threat
Elusiveness with Catch
Route Running Skills"

http://florida.scout.com/a.z?s=168&p=8&c=1&nid=5164746

Sounds like they are describing an elite WR. He's probably going to grow a little taller an likely hits 180ish by end of his SO season. He'll probably have a very good SR HS year.

[Speedofsand]

Originally Posted by deep_threat

I'm not sure what the difference is between his highlights and any other 4 star wide out. I don't really understand rankings.

Like I said in the Bailey thread, its all about which CAMPS a kid attends. CT might be an example of no stars to 4 stars in 12th grade.

[StrangeGator]

For a WR to get high ratings and rankings, he needs a good to great QB (or perhaps be the QB). It's hard to get numbers if the QB doesn't throw well or it's a run oriented offense. Don't know the situation at GHS. My guess is that the coaches want at least one absolute burner. There aren't a lot in this class. The top rate WRs are more big than fast. Coley with all his athleticism doesn't have elite top end speed. I think Fullwood was our fastest commit until today.

[DMann]

Looks like a natural return man with his speed and awareness. Also, the ability to create seperation then go up and get the ball is something we've not seen for a couple years except with Debose on rare occasion.

I think Pease will have the tools to run his offense by the time the '13 receivers get here. A year with a real OC should make it even easier to recruit great offensive players. COME ON SEPTEMBER!

[PSGator66]

His QB looked pretty damn good too!