Five-Star WR Perry Thompson flips from Alabama to Auburn
Five-star wide receiver Perry Thompson of Foley (AL) High flipped his commitment from Alabama to Auburn Saturday afternoon.
The 6-foot-3, 203 pounder had been committed to Alabama since June of 2022.
Thompson on why he chose Auburn
“Honestly just the family feeling and the legacy I can leave behind. Yeah, I could go to Bama but why not be that change in a program’s history.”
Relationship with coaching staff + their plan for him
“Love the coaching staff and the energy everyone brings. I’m really close to Freeze and coach Davis. We’ve built a pretty strong relationship. They see me as an AJ Brown type in their offense. A lot of one on one matchups and just getting the ball in my hands to make plays.”
Scouting Summary
“Big-framed pass catcher with some of the best physical tools among receiver prospects in the 2024 cycle. Measured at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds prior to his junior season. Has high-end length for the position with a 33.5-inch arm. Runs well at his size, showing the separation skills to get vertical and beat double coverage. Tracks the ball well with the ability to locate the ball over his shoulder for high difficulty grabs. Makes plays from the outside and in the slot. Flashes good change of direction as a route-runner on Friday nights and in the 7-on-7 setting.”
“Makes plays after the catch and as a return man. Shows competitiveness and toughness as a two-way player. Productive in a high volume role as a junior, catching 87 passes for 1,059 yards and nine touchdowns. Does not benefit from a loaded supporting cast. On the lower end of yards per catch among his highly-touted peers with 12.2 yards per reception as a junior. Has turned in some encouraging personal best track times over high school career but can continue to consistently transfer that over to the field with his play speed and the track as the times tend to vary. Still putting his tools together but has the upside to be one of the better receivers in a strong crop at the position in the 2024 cycle.”
Thompson ranks as the No. 29 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 8 wide receiver and the No. 3 player in the state of Alabama.
The in-state wide receiver joins coach Hugh Freeze and the Tigers’ top 15 class in the 2024 team rankings. He is accompanied by five-star linebacker Demarcus Riddick, four-star quarterback Walker White, and others.
He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $215K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.