Bryce Thompson details de-commitment from Virginia Tech, potential fit with South Carolina
July 18, 2017
The return
Bryce Thompson was among the rising seniors to attend the High School Sports Report media day at the South Carolina indoor practice facility on Sunday.
The 3-star athlete will return Friday during the final camp session of the summer to watch one of his teammates from Dutch Fork High School (Irmo, S.C.).
Thompson will also come back to campus on Saturday for the recruiting event, which will feature a handful of significant 2018 recruits, including 4-star defensive tackle Rick Sandidge.
According to the 247Sports composite, Thompson is ranked as the No. 32 athlete in the Class of 2018.
The decision(s)
In June, Thompson decided to abort his commitment to Virginia Tech, which he pledged to during the summer before his junior season at Ben Lippen School in Columbia, S.C.
“I just wasn’t feeling I was 100 percent committed to VT and I felt like it wasn’t fair for me to stay committed if I’m over here looking at other schools,” Thompson said. “So, I decided it would be best if I de-committed.”
He’s planning to announce a second commitment to one of three schools: North Carolina State, South Carolina or Virginia Tech.
“The goal is July 30,” he said of a potential announcement. “But I have to take care of some stuff first, so I’m not sure yet.”
That “stuff,” presumably, is academic-related. Though it’s uncertain what exactly has to transpire for Thompson to reveal his decision, he did tell reporters on Sunday that it could be August or September before anything happens.
The fit
Since last year, South Carolina has primarily recruited Thompson as a defensive back, but it’s starting to sound like he would line up on the other side of the ball for the Gamecocks, assuming he decides to stick around the 803.
In this observer’s estimation, Thompson profiles better as a wide receiver than he does at defensive back. But that’s not to suggest he can’t play the nickel/safety role that Muschamp and defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson might envision — those coaches certainly have a better idea than anyone writing a SpursUp Surveillance entry.
But when the head coach is a defensive-minded guy, the prospect is more than likely going to be recruited to play on that side of the ball, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
This could end up being one of those types of situations.
“I think they’re still going to try to recruit me as [a] DB. And if I end up going there, they’re probably going to move me to receiver. I’m not sure yet,” Thompson said. “We really didn’t get into that, but [Muschamp] said I could basically play any position I wanted.”
Although Thompson has previously indicated that he would probably prefer offense over defense, he hasn’t been all that committal.
“Honestly, I feel like I can play any position,” he said, when asked about the role he’ll play at Dutch Fork this fall.
“It doesn’t matter. As long as I’m on the field, I can benefit the team.”
During 7-on-7 events this summer, Thompson has lined up at wide receiver and defensive back, but he’s also taken reps at quarterback during team-only work.
For the record: N.C. State is recruiting him as a defensive back. He was committed to Virginia Tech as a wide receiver.
The pitch
On Sept. 1, the day before South Carolina opens its 2017 season in Charlotte, N.C., against N.C. State, Dutch Fork will host Fort Dorchester in one of the top high school showdowns in the Palmetto State.
The game is certain to have the attention of South Carolina’s coaches. Both programs, which are among the best in the state, feature two of its best 2018 prospects: Thompson and Dakereon Joyner, a 4-star quarterback who’s committed to the Gamecocks.
The two playmakers have already engaged in plenty of trash talk on Twitter. But there are no hard feelings. Not by a long shot.
“Dakereon, he’s probably the No. 1 player that’s trying to get me to come to Carolina,” Thompson said. “That’s my boy, too. We probably talk at least three times a week.”
Thompson hears from South Carolina fans pretty regularly on social media, urging him to stay home. The idea is pretty intriguing.
“I always wanted to have my friends and family attend my games,” Thompson said. “That would be nice.”
He added, “It’s close to home. It’s right down the street and I have a really good connection with Coach Muschamp and Coach T-Rob.”
July 18, 2017
The return
Bryce Thompson was among the rising seniors to attend the High School Sports Report media day at the South Carolina indoor practice facility on Sunday.
The 3-star athlete will return Friday during the final camp session of the summer to watch one of his teammates from Dutch Fork High School (Irmo, S.C.).
Thompson will also come back to campus on Saturday for the recruiting event, which will feature a handful of significant 2018 recruits, including 4-star defensive tackle Rick Sandidge.
According to the 247Sports composite, Thompson is ranked as the No. 32 athlete in the Class of 2018.
The decision(s)
In June, Thompson decided to abort his commitment to Virginia Tech, which he pledged to during the summer before his junior season at Ben Lippen School in Columbia, S.C.
“I just wasn’t feeling I was 100 percent committed to VT and I felt like it wasn’t fair for me to stay committed if I’m over here looking at other schools,” Thompson said. “So, I decided it would be best if I de-committed.”
He’s planning to announce a second commitment to one of three schools: North Carolina State, South Carolina or Virginia Tech.
“The goal is July 30,” he said of a potential announcement. “But I have to take care of some stuff first, so I’m not sure yet.”
That “stuff,” presumably, is academic-related. Though it’s uncertain what exactly has to transpire for Thompson to reveal his decision, he did tell reporters on Sunday that it could be August or September before anything happens.
The fit
Since last year, South Carolina has primarily recruited Thompson as a defensive back, but it’s starting to sound like he would line up on the other side of the ball for the Gamecocks, assuming he decides to stick around the 803.
In this observer’s estimation, Thompson profiles better as a wide receiver than he does at defensive back. But that’s not to suggest he can’t play the nickel/safety role that Muschamp and defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson might envision — those coaches certainly have a better idea than anyone writing a SpursUp Surveillance entry.
But when the head coach is a defensive-minded guy, the prospect is more than likely going to be recruited to play on that side of the ball, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
This could end up being one of those types of situations.
“I think they’re still going to try to recruit me as [a] DB. And if I end up going there, they’re probably going to move me to receiver. I’m not sure yet,” Thompson said. “We really didn’t get into that, but [Muschamp] said I could basically play any position I wanted.”
Although Thompson has previously indicated that he would probably prefer offense over defense, he hasn’t been all that committal.
“Honestly, I feel like I can play any position,” he said, when asked about the role he’ll play at Dutch Fork this fall.
“It doesn’t matter. As long as I’m on the field, I can benefit the team.”
During 7-on-7 events this summer, Thompson has lined up at wide receiver and defensive back, but he’s also taken reps at quarterback during team-only work.
For the record: N.C. State is recruiting him as a defensive back. He was committed to Virginia Tech as a wide receiver.
The pitch
On Sept. 1, the day before South Carolina opens its 2017 season in Charlotte, N.C., against N.C. State, Dutch Fork will host Fort Dorchester in one of the top high school showdowns in the Palmetto State.
The game is certain to have the attention of South Carolina’s coaches. Both programs, which are among the best in the state, feature two of its best 2018 prospects: Thompson and Dakereon Joyner, a 4-star quarterback who’s committed to the Gamecocks.
The two playmakers have already engaged in plenty of trash talk on Twitter. But there are no hard feelings. Not by a long shot.
“Dakereon, he’s probably the No. 1 player that’s trying to get me to come to Carolina,” Thompson said. “That’s my boy, too. We probably talk at least three times a week.”
Thompson hears from South Carolina fans pretty regularly on social media, urging him to stay home. The idea is pretty intriguing.
“I always wanted to have my friends and family attend my games,” Thompson said. “That would be nice.”
He added, “It’s close to home. It’s right down the street and I have a really good connection with Coach Muschamp and Coach T-Rob.”
