Shaquille "Shaq" Thompson, Safety From Grant, Verbals To Cal
by Avinash Kunnath on Mar 5, 2011 8:34 PM PST
in California Golden Bears Recruiting
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Shaquille Thompson, considered by many to be the best skill recruit in the state of California for the 2012 recruiting class, officially became a Golden Bear Saturday night according to Adam Gorney and Ryan Gorcey of Rivals ($). Thompson is the brother of famed Cal defensive back Syd'Quan Thompson, who is currently playing for the Denver Broncos. Thanks to that connection, Thompson has been rumored to be high on the Golden Bears for awhile now, and his commitment this early in the recruiting process is a big victory for a team that needs immediate depth in their secondary.
During his junior season at Grant, Thompson played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and defensive back, and was the main leader for a 13-1 Grant season. Shaq is ranked as the only five-star safety by Scout. He won the 200 meters at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Meet & was listed as a MaxPreps Junior All-American. At around 6'2", 195 lb, he is at the ideal frame to be an elite safety at the next level, and it should be exciting to see him join his Grant teammates Vei Moala and Puka Lopa as part of a suddenly frightening-looking Cal defense next season.
Welcome to Cal, Shaq! GO BEARS!
After the jump, the video.
(via grantpacer80)
More video: Interview with MaxPreps | Another interview with MaxPreps | More videos in Scout profile ($)
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Outstanding…possibly the best skill player not just in Calif. but in the nation…kudos to JT for making his mom and family truly feel like family….. Another fine young Mr. Thompson to grace our honored field and class…..
by Cal_Fan2 on Mar 5, 2011 8:43 PM PST reply actions 3 recs
possibly the best skill player not just in Calif. but in the nation
This
by Cali49a on Mar 5, 2011 8:52 PM PST up reply actions 2 recs
one bad thing though
any wordplay we use on his name has already been used.
Oh well. Welcome to Cal!!
Shaq! You made my day!!!! Can not wait to see you on the field!!! THANKS again!!!
GO BEARS!!!
Bring back the Pac-10!!!
First Cal demolishes the Furd, then we get Shaq...
Next thing you know Coach Tedford pulls a Hannah Montana, reveals he’s Eminem, and donates his money from his side job to revive the Baseball, Gymnastics, and Lacrosse teams.
FYI, both women gymnastics and lacrosse are already revived.
by LEastCoastBears on Mar 5, 2011 11:11 PM PST up reply actions
Make him bring back men's gymnastics!!!
CGB: Wasting Your Potential, Your Time, & Your Life Since 2006.
Welcome to Cal Shaq!
Can’t wait to see your ball skills on display #Winning #GoBears
Vote #CGB for the best college football blog http://goo.gl/qhTFe #Cal #GoBears
by solarise on Mar 5, 2011 10:15 PM PST via mobile reply actions
Speed, size, toughness, ball skills, violence. I have a football boner.
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
Exciting!
Cal did right by Syd, now we have to do right by Shaq.
The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS
HELL YEAH!!!!!
Say it like Ron Burgandy signing off: "Stay Classy, Bears!"
by PlayClassyBears on Mar 5, 2011 11:35 PM PST reply actions
YESSS
i’ve been hoping for this day since i saw his highlight video! what a way to start the 2012 recruiting cycle. kline and shaq woo!
diehard warrior & niner fan.
possibly the only cal + SC fan in the world
Class Act Thompson Family...
I love that we’ll be represented by another member of the Thompson family. Syd was a class act and there’s every indication that Shaq is too.
Lawrence Ross
by alpha1906 on Mar 6, 2011 7:44 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPTfsgHTiFY
Syd and Tedford singing together at furd 2009…. Look forward to vids of Shaq and Tedford singing together and furd & the rose bowl.
With all his ties to Cal, it always seemed like only a matter of time before defensive back Shaq Thompson (Sacramento, Calif./Grant) pulled the trigger for the Bears. That time turned out to be Saturday during Cal’s junior day.
“I’m a Bear,” Thompson said. “I’ve always wanted to go to Cal ever since my brother Syd-Quan played there. I’m close to so many of the players and coaches and then when my boys from Grant last year, Tiny [Viliami Moala] and Puka [Lopa] signed with Cal, I knew I was next. We had made a pact that we would all stay home and play together and it feels great to get this out of the way now.”
Thompson did a little of everything for Grant last year on both sides of the ball. He saw time at running back, receiver, safety, linebacker and corner and even punted for the Pacers, but was recruited to play safety for the Bears. He rushed for 1,882 yards and 25 touchdowns and also caught 18 passes for 345 yards and three more scores.
by Redonkulous Bear on Mar 6, 2011 7:46 AM PST reply actions 4 recs
Thank you CGB for once again bringing us fans great info
And free. The various bear pay sites are useless making every little piece of news “premium content”
Thank god for the CGB writers bring info and passion to Cal sports fans.
by Michael Santos on Mar 6, 2011 8:57 AM PST reply actions 3 recs
the hits keep on coming
Yourrrr all can start drooling ‘cause the Bears will be on primetime TV @5 PM on Sats in the fall with matchups vs The Ohio State U, Texas, Northwestern, $C, Oregone etc..
Just can’t wait for September :)
GRANT PACERS TERRITORY
"Let me tell you a story. I was a political prisoner for two years. The instant I was released I ran to McDonald's. I had a Big Mac and a Coke.
It was fantastic."
-Toyama Koichi, US Presidential candidate from Japan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGZqOkeYbB0
Welcome Shaq! Can’t wait to see you in blue and gold!
by CaliforniaEternal on Mar 6, 2011 12:06 PM PST reply actions
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