Gainesville native and Gator wide receiver Chris Thompson will run out of the tunnel for the last time as a Gator this Saturday in The Swamp. It’s sure to be an emotional jog out onto Florida Field for Chris Thompson reminiscing about all that he’s been through and all that he’s had to overcome to get to this point. Thompson was a first team All Area wide receiver from Gainesville High School where he earned offers from schools like Marshal and Utah. It wasn’t until camping with the Gators that Thompson earned his dream offer to the University of Florida.
In Thompson’s first year, he didn’t see the field very much, but when he did, he made his presence felt. Widely regarded on the team as the fastest player on this roster, his ability to beat everyone down the field and cover punts to perfection did not go unnoticed as he went on to win the Most Valuable Special Teams Player Scout Team honor. In Thompson’s sophomore year for the Gators, Thompson found himself playing in 10 games. His special team’s success continued as he kept fighting for playing time at his natural position of wide receiver.
As a junior, Thompson found more time at wide receiver starting in two games. His speed and ability to get down the field to make tackles is what made him special and he continued his special team’s success playing in 13 of the Gators 14 games in the 2015 season.
The 2016 season came as a bright spot for the talented Gainesville local as he sustained his stellar special teams play. When the Gators seemed to not be able to find a kick returner that they could count on, head coach Jim McElwain turned to team leaders Jalen Tabor and Quincey Wilson for their thoughts on Thompson returning kicks. They all agreed that Thompson was ready and he was given the nod to start at kick returner for the Gators’ big matchup with rival Georgia in Jacksonville. Thompson made the most of his opportunity and had a huge kick return to put the Gators in great field position. Unfortunately, Thompson was the recipient of a hard hit at Arkansas a week later and suffered a concussion.
On senior day, it’s a time for reflection and for Chris Thompson, he can look back and say that he made the most of all of his opportunities and made his dreams come true in playing for the University of Florida. When Thompson trots out to hug his parents on Saturday, he will feel right at home. Gator fans everywhere will stand to support a young man from Gainesville, Florida that followed his dreams and made the most of the opportunities he was afforded.