Bryce Thompson knew he was going to commit to Virginia Tech before he even hit the road to Blacksburg. His only indecision was whether or not to make his intention public on Saturday.
"I knew I was going to commit," Thompson told The Key Play. "I was just deciding if I was going to do it publicly or a silent commit. I talked to my mom and my coach, and that's when I decided I would just do it publicly.
"My mom loves the campus, and she's a Mike Vick fan. She's kind of in love with VT anyway. She was just saying, 'It's up to you, just make sure it's what you want,' and I told her it is, and that's what made me decide to do it publicly."
Excited and beyond blessed to say I have committed to Virginia Tech!! #HokieNation pic.twitter.com/T0sL9wkoND— Bryce Thompson (@thommybry) July 24, 2016
Frank Beamer's staff had Thompson on the Hokies' radar during his freshman year at Dutch Fork HS (SC), but Tech's recruitment did not begin in earnest until Justin Fuente offered a scholarship during a camp at Tech on July 17.
Thompson credits special teams coordinator and TEs coach James Shibest along with WRs coach Holmon Wiggins for recruiting him the hardest before his offer. After Thompson's camp workout, Fuente's involvement grew.
"(Fuente) doesn't just care about football," Thompson said. "He cares about his players. He wasn't just talking about football. He was talking about how he wanted to build character, and I liked that. The fact that he wants to make Virginia Tech a powerhouse again, and his demeanor, he is really passionate, and I figured he'd be the best fit for me."
Connections with some current Hokies also eased Thompson into his decision.
"I was just in love with Virginia Tech from the start, once I first visited up there," Thompson said. "My old teammate (Tech long snapper) Wright Bynum, he goes there, and he's been telling me nothing but good things about Virginia Tech. I have a great relationship with the players there. I am so comfortable, and they barely even know me."
Over the course of a few visits, Thompson has begun to forge friendships with Terrell and Tremaine Edmunds, DuWayne Johnson, Deshawn McClease, and Isaiah Ford.
"They were excited for me committing," Thompson said. "They were saying Tech's about to be a powerhouse again, and I was like, 'I can't wait. I want to join the family now,' and that's what made me commit."
The 6-0, 180 pound rising junior still has two seasons of high school ball to play before donning the maroon and orange, but after a year off the field Thompson is set to strap it up at running back, wide receiver and safety for Ben Lippen HS. Thompson transferred to Ben Lippen from Dutch Fork HS.
"I wasn't doing good at Dutch Fork, and I felt like Ben Lippen was a better (academic) fit for me," Thompson said. "Help me get my GPA up."
Thompson's prowess on both sides of the ball led Fuente to offer him as an athlete, and he is open to playing offense or defense at the next level.
"Wherever the team needs me the most, wherever I benefit the team," Thompson said. "I love offense. I love having the ball in my hands and scoring, but I also love tackling people and stopping the offense from scoring."
There are 563 days until national signing day in 2018. Until then, Fuente and company will likely have to fend off additional suitors for the multitalented South Carolina product.
"I am 100% committed to VT right now," Thompson said. "I am just going to try to focus this year on high school."
Comments
Long way to go until he can sign on the dotted line, but he sounds like a fine young man who will make an outstanding Hokie. Welcome aboard, Bryce.
This is the hardest part about recruiting, keeping that level of interest and commitment until he steps foot on the field in O&M. Until then, it's all speculation.
Indeed. That sort of sums up how I feel about recruiting. This all sounds nice, he sounds like the kind of kid I want in our program, but let's see where we are in a few hundred days. A lot can change. He's made a good choice and I'm happy he has; I just hope it sticks.
"Wherever the team needs me most". I love his attitude. Welcome to Hokie Nation, Bryce. You'll love VT.
A nugget that got cut from my story, Bryce rode up to Tech with Dutch Fork 2017 WR Austin Connor. Thompson told me he's been working Connor to commit to Tech since even before he was offered.
Has Austin Connor committed to us? If not then bodes well that a non-committed guy was pressuring another non-committed guy to us.
Might be running out of 2017 WR spots soon.
Me thinks Savoy will end up being a DB.
Not be negative Nellie, but what is the hit rate on guys "working" on a friend, teammate, camp mate, etc.? It seems to be really small.
Recruiting mom on the other hand...
more than our hit rate on guys not "working" their friends
So is this the secret recruiticorn that they could not mention? Was kind of hoping it was a 2017 commit, 2018 is lot of mind changing for 16-17 year old...
no this is one of the 4 that is already public. Thompson, brown, griffin and savoy.
So you mean we wouldn't have landed Bryce if Torrian was recruiting him?
ducks
Yep, you're onto something there. Used to say the way to a man's heart is through his tummy, but now we know the way to a recruit's heart is through his mommy!
Probably would have still loved the campus regardless. Don't think TG could have screwed this one up.
ooof, I could hear that kids ankles break from here.
OMG... the ankles... the pain...
Torching blue shirts already... He's ready for the Commonwealth Cup
Alright! Way to go, Bryce!
Welcome aboard! Excited to have this kid.
But wait a minute.....He "opts to go public"? The kid committed to a university to play football, but "opts to go public" is something that would be said in reference to a Cosby victim. Was he in jeopardy of something by announcing his commitment?
not sure why you are getting downvotes or if this is sarcasm, but I'll bite.
that's the 2nd paragraph. Reading helps.
here's a leg to offset though.
Well, I read every word the first time. Just seemed like an odd thing to be requiring of a consult with other adults.
Perhaps just the manner in which you're used to the phrase, which would be tv/media style phrasing in regards to legal cases. Things don't need to be a "gate" scandal for someone to "go public". They just need to choose to announce it in media over not doing so.
No harm. Just wasn't sure if you caught it, but you certainly shouldn't be downvoted for that.
In any case, damn glad he chose the good guys!
I down voted "Cosby victim", not the general premise.
Decommited. Wondering if USCjr closer to home is his plan.
I'd say that's fairly likely.
Ugh please don't be like that. Remember players and family members read these things.
We've recruited the position well, best wishes to him.
Seems like a good kid. With all due respect, all the DB's and WR's we have commitments from and signed last year surely caused him to reconsider. We are going to be loaded.
It's hardly ever good when commitment threads (or anything else, I suppose) turn zombie.
And...this is why I think this word means absolutely nothing when it comes to college athletics prior to signing day
He actually said he leaving his high school and hasn't said where he is playing his senior year.