Recruiting Film Breakdown: Receiver/Safety Perry Thompson
Following the previous film review of quarterback Julian Sayin, we'll stay with the offense in the 2024 class with 5-star receiver/safety Perry Thompson from Foley High School in Foley, Ala.
Thompson committed to Alabama football last June, choosing the Crimson Tide over Auburn, Miami, and Tennessee. He finished his junior season with 87 receptions, 1,059 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as a wide receiver. Thompson also had three interceptions as a defensive back.
He did get the most reps at receiver, but his dual-threat ability is certainly a nice bonus.
Thompson is considered the consensus No. 1 receiver in Alabama, ranked fifth in the nation at the position, and is nationally ranked at No. 14 for his recruiting class.
If Foley High School rings a bell with some Alabama fans, it is the same school that Julio Jones came from. Comparing Thompson to Jones might be a little dramatic, but his play style is very similar to the former Crimson Tide great.
With all that being said, let's get into some film and see what Thompson is all about.
Things that Stand Out:
Thompson has a big 6'3, 202-pound frame, making him a physical threat in the air. Almost any pass that comes his way has a great chance to be hauled in, and he has the release to get open off the line.
The clip below shows that ability to make the tough, physical catches, (at the 1:29 mark of the video). Thompson was able to get open and get his hands on the ball for the touchdown.
This showcases his ability to make those tough catches and even stay inbounds in the end zone. Almost any quarterback can throw to him and he can go get it even if the pass is off the mark.
Something else that stood out in his tape was the ability to get yards after the catch. His size makes it difficult for the defense to bring him down, but he can be sneaky quick after a catch (1:00 mark).
The ability to get yards after a catch is key for a receiver his size, and can be a huge asset. Not many players will get in the way of a 6'3 receiver running at top speed. He was clocked with an unofficial 4.45 40-yard dash at a recent event, so the top speed is definitely there.
The final area of Thompson's game as a receiver that really stands out is his release off the line. He can beat the coverage quickly and get to a place where the quarterback may find him.
The clip below shows that skill, starting at the 40 second mark. Thompson was able to beat the defender and find an opening. Even though the throw was a little short, he got the defender turned around enough to still make the play.
On the other side of the ball, Thompson is a solid safety/cornerback who can lay a huge hit. That's the big thing that really stood out on his defensive tape, including with this forced fumble from a massive hit.
While Thompson might not play a lot on defense come 2024, his willingness to play other positions and make those type of plays shows how tough of a guy he is.
It might be easy for a 5-star receiver to lay back in high school and wait for college to start, Thompson seems like he wants to be out on the field as much as possible on both sides, scoring and stopping touchdowns.
Areas of Improvement:
There's one needed area of improvement for Thompson, and it's his route running. With his size and ability to catch the ball, it might not seem like that big of a deal, but can make all the difference between being a good receiver and a great one.
He sometimes struggles to cut quickly and find an opening from a route. at times it seems like he might rely on his size to make the play over the route itself. But overall, it's a skill that should improve before he sees the field in Tuscaloosa.
Final Verdict:
With a year left in high school the comparisons between Thompson and Julio Jones will only grow.
Can he become that kind of receiver? He has the potential, but Jones had a monster work ethic. That could be the key to seeing how far Thompson might be able to follow in his footsteps, including at Alabama.
