Southmoore's Kendal Thompson commits to OU
Recruiting QB one of three Southmoore players who will become Sooners
By Justin Harper, Staff Writer, jharper@opubco.com
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Published: November 4, 2009
MOORE — Although it seemed like everything happened so fast, Kendal Thompson’s verbal commitment to play at Oklahoma has been a long time coming in his eyes.
Southmoore’s Kendal Thompson has verbally committed to OU. Photo by Steve Sisney, The Oklahoman
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The Southmoore junior quarterback received a scholarship offer from OU over the weekend and didn’t waste any time with a decision. He plans to be a Sooner.
"I went to OU’s camp and have kept in touch with coach (Josh) Heupel and coach (Cale) Gundy, so I wasn’t committing to a school I didn’t already know all about and without having looked into everything,” Thompson said. "Really, I never doubted OU as a program I wanted to play for. It was just seeing how they felt about me and if I was a good fit at quarterback for them.”
Thompson’s teammate,
Austin Haywood, a senior tight end/ defensive end, also verbally committed to play at OU. That gives Southmoore three players headed to OU after cornerback
Julian Wilson committed earlier this year.
Thompson attended Florida’s summer camp and had the Gators ranked high on his wish list. However, when the offer from OU came, there was no need for procrastination.
"When we all sat down and thought about it, we knew there was no reason to drag out the recruiting process,” said
Charles Thompson, who was at OU from 1986-88. "Here’s a kid who has a passion for this program and has dreamed of playing quarterback there and his dad has done just that. It’s just 10 miles away and it’s a program he’s been around his whole life. And he’s the type of quarterback that fits their system perfectly.”
One thing Kendal isn’t worried about is following in his father’s footsteps. For starters, the elder Thompson was an option quarterback, while the son is a pass-first QB. Plus, OU’s spread offense of today is nothing like the Wishbone scheme Charles Thompson operated.
"I want to make my own footsteps,”
Kendal Thompson said. "Regardless of my dad playing there, that’s not why I chose OU. I would have gone somewhere else if it wasn’t the right fit.”
Through nine games, Thompson has thrown for 1,903 yards and 23 touchdowns with five interceptions and has completed 67 percent of his passes. The 6-foot-1, 172-pounder has also has run for nine TDs for 8-1 Southmoore.
To be sure, Thompson is fast, agile and a gifted runner. However, the left-hander has a strong arm and tremendous accuracy.
"I think I’m dangerous in the pocket and can make things happen in the open field, but I look to pass before I run,” Thompson said. "That’s the kind of quarterback I am. I can probably hurt you more with my arm than legs.”
Thompson has already qualified academically, scoring a 26 on the ACT and with a cumulative GPA of 4.39.
Haywood’s position may not be set in stone because of his versatility. The 6-4, 250-pounder has run for, caught, thrown for and returned a fumble for touchdowns.
He has taken 10 of his 26 receptions into the end zone and five of his 16 carries. Defensively, he’s logged 49 tackles, four sacks, two fumble recoveries and two picks.
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Charles has not recruited anyone to come to Southmoore. The school, Coaches and program speak for its selve. My grandson moved to play for them and I know for a fact he was never recruited by anyone it was what he wanted. I can't comperhend aldults making these kind of post for this young man to read.
We are happy for you Kendal!
People will never get over it sorry. to show that much disrespect and still while your sitting in jail to find other people to blame. Come on. Everyone anyone that needs a refresher with the quality go read his book. He is a joke. He should have never been allowed back on the campus and none of his family should ever be allowed back on the campus. With all that OU has done and all the rules they have ever broken. The biggest mistake they ever made was bringing trash like him into the school.
Now as far as his son goes. Sir Charles recruited the best team he could to put around his son at Southmoore. Thompson will never make it at OU. He has yet to have to work for anything and he will have to work at OU.