Auburn Recruiting: 'Big-Play' WR Perry Thompson Evaluation
Auburn Tigers fans will probably always hold a special place in their hearts for a wide receiver from the greater Gulf Coast of Alabama. The one-time Alabama Crimson Tide commitment is now a part of the 2024 Auburn recruiting class.
Beyond forgoing the chance to play for Nick Saban and the Tide, this special talent also possesses a plethora of skills that provide him with a chance to play early on The Plains. Let's get to know this young man.
Perry Thompson
Size: 6-foot-3, 200 pounds
Position: Wide Receiver
Hometown: Foley (Ala.) High School
Recruitment: Beyond the flip from Alabama to Auburn, Thompson has offers from numerous programs including Tennessee, Miami, and Troy, among others.
Because Thompson made an early decision, he probably did not receive the total number of offers he would have if he went with an original decision during the summer prior to his senior season like many other recruits.
At the time of this article being written, Thompson is the #14 player in the nation by 247 Sports, #47 by On3, #59 by Rivals, and #40 by ESPN.
Frame: He’s the prototypical big-bodied wide receiver that could fit right in with a current NFL team – assuming Thompson had his helmet on – during warmups. Literally. He’s physically mature and will only get stronger.
From head to toe, Thompson is a physically imposing player. He simply needs refinement from this point forward and it’s a major reason why he’s capable of playing early for Auburn.
Athleticism: Fluid; changes directions without awkward movements. After getting to top speed, Thompson even looks like he keeps his speed even when changing directions. Also, Thompson’s ability to accelerate through breaks is tremendous.
Jumping ability is really good as well. Times his jumps to maximize opportunities to catch the football.
Different levels of Speed: Sometimes Thompson hits top gear after setting up a cut. Then, he bursts through his break and leaves a defensive back behind. It’s something a person needs to see over and over to truly understand what Thompson is doing.
It’s almost like Thompson is setting defenders up by not going 100% full-go. Just like that, however, he hits the gas and he’s gone.
Just A Football Player: Some of the best footage of Thompson is of him playing defense. He is a striker, too. This young man could find a home at several different positions. It’s just that he’s too valuable with the ball in his hands to take away from the wide receiver position.
Get Thompson the Ball: Jet sweeps, playing Thompson at running back, short passes to allow him to make defenders miss, and so on and so forth. Thompson is a difficult offensive weapon to slow down.
Auburn’s Hugh Freeze will have fun scheming up ways to utilize Thompson. Pairing him with other incoming prospects who can make plays before and after the catch, it will be interesting to see just how the Tigers perform with Thompson in the lineup.
Do not forget, Auburn quarterback commitment Walker White has the arm talent to get Thompson the football all over the field as well.
Long-Term Potential: The natural athleticism and football skills are there for Thompson to be as good as he wants to be. Look for him to play all three of the boundary, field, and slot wide receiver positions for Auburn. Where he starts out, that’s a great question.
Thompson will likely fit in where he is best suited to help balance out the different wide receiver positions. Over time, he will broaden his responsibilities. Do not even be surprised if Thompson ends up returning kicks. He’s an elite athlete and football player.
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