It appears Syracuse is now only battling Maryland for recruit Ron “Sugar Bear” Thompson, a tight end who could become an explosive pass-catching threat for the Orange. The 6’4″, 220 lb. target from¬†Southfield HS (MI) is also weighing offers from Indiana and Illinois.
Last month Thompson said the Orange, Terps and Wolverines were his top 3, but Michigan may be slipping since he recently noted his¬†contact with the school has quieted down. “I haven’t talked to Michigan recently. I haven’t talked to anyone recently but Maryland and Syracuse.” Speculation in Ann Arbor is that his offer from the Wolverines has expired while he has been deciding. Thompson may wonder how he fits into their equation. Michigan already has two talented tight ends coming in for ‚Äô12 in¬†A.J. Williams and Devin Funchess.
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Ron has put SU high on his list for awhile, and had some encouraging words to ESPN.¬†“I love the coaching staff at Syracuse. I feel like I can see myself there.” It’s incredible the Orange is once again battling nemesis¬†Randy Edsall on the recruiting trail even though he left for the ACC this offseason.
Thompson jumped on the football recruiting scene after posting 41 receptions for 808 yards and 12 touchdowns last season as a junior at East Detroit HS. He transferred to Southfield for his senior season after a major coaching shakeup at his former school and Scout.com Midwest regional manager Allen Trieu thinks this can potentially give him more exposure.
‚ÄúHe was not a marquee program, but I think that he has really stood out against good competition this offseason. You put on the tape and you’ll see him excel against some good competition in the PSL also. He’s a big kid at 6-4, 225 pounds and he has tremendous, tremendous ball skills. I think it will be quite a race between Thompson and (Aaron) Burbridge to see who has the best hands in the state. I think Ron Thompson is a kid that is going to continue to rise.”
Thompson is a matchup nightmare. With his size and 4.6/40 speed. He looks like a man amongst boys out on the field, grabbing every pass thrown his way. Sugar Bear gets the ball at the highest point and seems to do it effortlessly.
Ron dominated at the Midwest Showcase (watch his video here) with the best prospects from the Big Ten region, hauling in passes from all directions and going up and over defensive backs to pull in those 50-50 balls.
His hands are incredibly soft and football people rave about Thompson’s amazing ball skills.¬†It’s remarkable when you remember last season was the first time he played high school football. It’s scary to think how good RT can be with a few years of experience under his belt. He has size and off the charts athleticism which makes his potential sky-high.
As a receiver, he has all the tools to be a dynamic playmaker immediately. Sources say Thompson’s athleticism and hand-eye stood out as a cut above any other TE prospect during the summer. He might just have the best hands in this class. But to be a tight end at the next level, Ron needs to be quicker off the line of scrimmage and become a better blocker. He is still learning the game, and The Fizz believes that he can improve on those areas with more football experience.
On his nickname?
“It just started with a few of the guys here. It’s all fun and games. I guess because I’m big and I can move, or something like that.¬†It doesn’t bother me. I’m just gonna go out and perform.”
Getting Thompson to the Dome next season would be a huge addition. The Orange loses two tight ends in Nick Provo and David Stevens to graduation. Besides Beckett Wales, no other TE has any experience catching passes in college games. Interestingly, Doug Marrone switched DE/DT Max Beaulieu to tight end this week. Adding Thompson’s big frame to the offense would give SU a red zone threat as well as a tight end that is a playmaker.
Sugar Bear is the real deal and one of the big fish Orange Nation has been waiting for. Prying him away from Wolverine country could be one of the biggest recruiting wins since Marrone took over.
Posted: Dave Van Moffaert
10 responses to “Down to Syracuse & Maryland for Tight End Ron Thompson? Damn You Edsall”
PLEASE get this guy. I LOVE a fast receiving TE! GO CUSE! ORANGE AND BLUE BABY!
If he commits, what do you think would happen with Joshua Parris? Parris is s a 3 star on rivals, scout, and espn, so a kid with his talent couldn’t be too happy not even being the best TE in a recruiting class.
I diagree chad. How do you know Joshua Parris would be a better player than Ron Thompson? Ron Thompson is a 6’4″ 220 lb (3 STAR ATLETE) who runs a 4.6/40. Anyone who has that size and speed,would be a welcomed addition to the Syracuse Football program.
Syracuse will be losing both of it’s staring TE’s this year,due to graduation. Who’s to say that we can’t use both of these players?
If we can get Yoshoub Timms,Tyrone Neal,Abner Logan,Kenneth Goins and Ron Thompson to commit to Syracuse for 2012 on top of what has already committed,then Coach marrone should have the #1 recruiting class of the Big East.
From where I set,the future for Syracuse Football is looking real bright.
GO CUSE!
I don’t get this line in the story: “It‚Äôs incredible the Orange is once again battling nemesis Randy Edsall on the recruiting trail even though he left for the ACC this offseason. ”
Why is it incredible that SU is recruiting against Edsall? Maryland and SU for ages have recruited the same ground. I expect more than ESPN hyperbole from this website. Don’t treat your readers like freshmen SU students, but as seasoned SU fans.
I agree with Ron. If you can add a talent like Thompson, you must do it no matter who else is playing that position. Tight end will be a weal position next year, and I think there is room for both. I also believe Sugar Bear is better than Parris. Both have great size, but Thompson has better ball skills and hands
DVM
it is time for SU to close the door and get a kid we NEED to get. T. Wheatley… this is a kid in your backyard, Michigan, we need you to close the deal on this kid. SU is the perfect situation for this kid. Sugar Bear, be smart and pick the Cuse….
I would love to see the Orange start utilizing some big athletic TE targets to get downfield and have success in the red zone – and Thompson looks like he could be the perfect fit. Wonder what Beaulieu would be thinking if he committed?
@Jim – didn’t look to dismiss anyone’s SU knowledge – just noting how interesting it is that SU is once again looking across the recruiting field at Edsall in a mano-a-mano showdown, that’s all.
I guess I didnt explain myself clearly. I meant to say that Thompson is better than parris from what i’ve seen on recruiting boards. So would Parris be fine being a backup tight end for his years at Syracuse. Or could he make a transition to another spot?
Chad-
The reason I think Parris would be fine is that Marrone runs a lot of two tight end packages any ways, so I think he will see the field a lot even if Thompson comes to SU. But I see your point, does this make him less interested in Cuse now, since they are targeting a better tight end? I hope not, and I hope if Ron commits it breeds competition in practice.
DVM
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