Thompson set for UCLA
Scout.com's Brandon Huffman reported yesterday that Vanier College DB Anthony Thompson had officially committed to the UCLA football team, giving the Bruins their 17th commit for the 2011 class.
I was told last week that Thompson was just waiting on some final paperwork to clear, and now it appears he'll even be in town early enough for Spring ball.
Thompson also had interest in Oregon State and Cincinnati, with offers from both schools, so it's clear that his recruitment started picking up pretty late.
The Bruins certainly need more cornerback depth; after the defection of Marlon Pollard and Shaquille Richardson, UCLA has just four CBs from the classes of 2009-11.
I believe Thompson will be the best DB to suit up for spring ball. I'm going off his highlight tape compared to what I saw from the starting corners the last two years. The first thing that stands out is his ball skills. He can flip his hips, run with the receiver, and locate the football in the air and go get it. I have not seen that from any of the corners we have on this team. The only picks I recall from the secondary where tipped balls or poorly thrown passes. Never seen the DB go up and take away a ball that was decently placed for the receiver.
Welcome Anthony to Bruins family and the sunny southern California.
Totally agree with C-Los about lack of earned INTs. Even Rahim very rarely earned an INT. He was primarily playing center field for poor throws most of the time. Sould be a function of Bullough's ultra conservative scheme. It is kinda hard for a CB to fight for a pick when he is playing 15 yards off the line of scrimmage on 3rd and 2. That is the most exciting thing for me about Tresey - known for creating turnovers and negative plays, good 3rd down conversion rate.
Haven't watched the highlights for Anthony, but sounds like a solid pickup. I thought he was a High School recruit not JC or whatever he is...So how many years of eligibility?
Thompson can certainly cover, that's for sure and his speed is exceptional.
Won't don't we play him at receiver? I am serious. He seems to be able to catch better than any of ours.
All this is tempered of course with having no idea how good those kids are in Canada.
How much class time has he missed for the current quarter already if he's just enrolling in school now, may be even some midterms?
How many years of eligibility does he have? Im confused on the Canadian HS/College/University system.
Anthony will be a true frosh. 5 to play 4.