Trent Thomson, the Super 11 defensive lineman from Westover, has been labeled as a raw talent by many.
Thompson left Jonesboro raw last week, when he had nine tackles - five for losses - forced a fumble and had two sacks in a 34-0 victory. Thompson put up big numbers as a junior, also. He was first-team all-state and was credited with 38 tackles behind the line.
But the raw label persists.
"This is a player who is extremely raw, yet has the physical ability to not only take on, but whip double teams." - SB Nation (Feb. 20)
"The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Thompson has elite quickness for a player his size and is still somewhat raw, so he has a high ceiling for development." - J.C. Shurburtt, 247Sports (May 2)
"Though some scouts describe Thompson as raw, his potential to become a run-stuffing force on the interior of the defensive line makes him one of the most prized prospects in his class." - Sports Illustrated (Aug. 12)
Westover coach Octavia Jones said the label has probably run its course. All high school players need to be developed further in college, but that doesn't mean Thompson is a project. He's already good, Jones said.
"I think the 'raw' assessment was accurate during his sophomore year, when he first burst onto the scene," Jones said. "Trent is much more polished and fundamentally sound now. Trent is a great high school football player, and I feel certain that he will be a great football player on the next level as well."
Thompson moved up three spots to No. 3 in GHSF Daily's weekly Player of the Year Watch. Washington County QB/DB A.J. Gray, starring on offense and defense, continues to lead. New to the Watch this week is Allatoona's Russell Halimon, believed to be the state's leading rusher.
1. QB/DB A.J. Gray, Washington County:Gray was 16-of-24 passing for 232 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-0 victory over Mary Persons. He also rushed for 104 yards and a touchdown. On defense, he had seven tackles, one for a loss, and returned an interception 40 yards for a touchdown. On the season, Gray is 23-of-32 passing for 418 yards and three touchdowns. He has rushed for 150 yards. On defense, he has 11 tackles, two for losses, and has returned two interceptions for touchdowns. He has played only about five of his team's eight quarters. Washington County is ranked No. 1 in Class AAA. Gray is committed to Georgia Tech.
2. WR Preston Williams, Lovejoy:Williams had six catches for 150 yards and four touchdowns covering 43, 52, 8 and 26 yards in three quarters of a 41-14 victory over Dutchtown. For the season, Williams has 10 receptions for 226 yards and four touchdowns. Williams also is his team's punter. Rated the No. 3 wide-receiver prospect in the nation, Williams is committed to Tennessee.
3. DL Trent Thompson, Westover:Thompson had nine tackles - five for losses - forced a fumble and had two sacks in a 34-0 victory over Jonesboro. For the season, Thompson has 15 tackles, seven behind the line, and two sacks for a team that is 1-1. Thompson, an AJC Super 11 pick, is the consensus No. 2 recruit in the nation. He is committed to Georgia.
4. RB Eric Swinney, Sandy Creek:Swinney participated in only two plays in a 49-6 victory over Hampton in which his team led 35-0 just a minute into the second quarter. He scored on a 60-yard run. For the season, Swinney has 403 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 52 attempts. Sandy Creek (3-0) is ranked No. 2 in Class AAAA. Rated the consensus No. 10 running-back prospect in the nation, Swinney is committed to Ole Miss.
5. RB/DB Ruben Garnett, Aquinas:Garnett's team did not play last week. For the season, Garnett has rushed for 425 yards and six touchdowns on 53 carries in two games. He has made five tackles in the secondary. Aquinas (2-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class A. Duke reportedly leads to sign Garnett among 15 Division I offers.
6. WR Darius Slayton, Greater Atlanta Christian:Slayton had two receptions for 42 yards, one a 22-yard TD catch against a double team in the end zone with 58 seconds left in a 23-16 victory over Eagle's Landing Christian. On the season, Slayton has 14 catches for 288 yards and six touchdowns - two that were highlight-reel game-winners - for the No. 1-ranked team in Class AA. He's a consensus top-20 recruit in the state and has more than 20 offers, including those from Georgia and Georgia Tech.
7. DE Chauncey Rivers, Stephenson:Rivers' team did not play last week. For the season, Rivers has 13 tackles, six for losses, and 4.5 sacks for a team that is 1-1 and ranked No. 3 in Class AAAAA. Rated the consensus No. 10 weakside defensive end in the country, Rivers has committed to Georgia.
8. RB Sihiem King, Colquitt County:King rushed for 85 yards and three touchdowns on just five carries in a 55-0 victory over Crisp County. In three games, King has rushed for 381 yards and seven touchdowns on 54 carries (7.1 ypc) and has six catches for 28 yards. Colquitt County (3-0) is ranked No. 1 in Class AAAAAA and is nationally ranked in the Top 10 of two polls. A preseason all-state pick who rushed for 1,439 yards in 2013, King has no reported Division I offers.
9. QB Kylil Carter, South Cobb:Carter's team did not play last week. In two games, Carter has thrown for 536 yards (29-of-46) and rushed for 398 (34 attempts). He has scored five touchdowns and passed for six. Carter has no reported scholarship offers.
10. Russell Halimon, Allatoona: Halimon rushed for 320 yards and three touchdowns on 38 carries in a 56-35 victory over North Paulding. For the season, Halimon has rushed for 765 yards on 117 carries (both believed to lead the state) and eight touchdowns. He has a 26-yard reception. He has struggled protecting the ball, losing four fumbles. A 5-foot-9 junior, Halimon has no reported scholarship offers. Allatoona (3-0) is ranked No. 8 in Class AAAAA.
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