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Guys, I talked earlier with one of the headliners from UC's junior day from Saturday, Cass Tech (Mich.) 2022 four-star defensive end Jalen Thompson. He told me he now has 28 offers, after Vanderbilt offered yesterday. No top list here, but as I'll get to later, there's a few making some headway.
Before this past weekend, Thompson last visited the Bearcats in October for the UCF game. This weekend was a big win to get him back on campus. He told me he liked that UC literally rolled out the red carpet for him and the other recruits visiting. Thompson said he talked with the whole coaching staff and loved getting to actually talk scheme and watch film. He said he learned that the Bearcats run both three-man and four-man fronts on defense and he also loved hearing the success a lot of the freshmen have had.
Thompson said he also met assistant coach Greg Scruggs in-person for the first time. "I love his energy," Thompson said. "He seems like a positive person." He also said he feels like Scruggs can be more of a mentor than a coach, which he liked.
Overall, it was interesting that Thompson said he feels like Cincinnati the city, is a lot like Detroit. He told me the feel is similar, along with the environment in Clifton, which is a big reason why the Bearcats are in a great position here.
There's been only two other visits Thompson has made since the first of the year. He stopped with his teammates Friday in Toledo, but he told me that was for them, not him. He basically has no interest in the Rockets. And on Jan. 22, Thompson visited Michigan State for junior day. He told me he was sorry the Spartans lost one of their assistant coaches, but still has a good bond with the rest of the staff. Thompson also really likes coach Mel Tucker, too.
No visits planned right now, but Thompson said he'd like to see at least four more schools, likely from the list of see USC, Penn State, Arkansas, Kentucky and Michigan. Honestly, I think it's the same from this fall, that it sounds to me like Michigan State is the leader here. But I do think UC is right there, likely in second or third. So the Bearcats still have a shot, though they'll have to really work him hard. He wants to have at least a top list by the end of March.
Full story coming
Guys, I talked earlier with one of the headliners from UC's junior day from Saturday, Cass Tech (Mich.) 2022 four-star defensive end Jalen Thompson. He told me he now has 28 offers, after Vanderbilt offered yesterday. No top list here, but as I'll get to later, there's a few making some headway.
Before this past weekend, Thompson last visited the Bearcats in October for the UCF game. This weekend was a big win to get him back on campus. He told me he liked that UC literally rolled out the red carpet for him and the other recruits visiting. Thompson said he talked with the whole coaching staff and loved getting to actually talk scheme and watch film. He said he learned that the Bearcats run both three-man and four-man fronts on defense and he also loved hearing the success a lot of the freshmen have had.
Thompson said he also met assistant coach Greg Scruggs in-person for the first time. "I love his energy," Thompson said. "He seems like a positive person." He also said he feels like Scruggs can be more of a mentor than a coach, which he liked.
Overall, it was interesting that Thompson said he feels like Cincinnati the city, is a lot like Detroit. He told me the feel is similar, along with the environment in Clifton, which is a big reason why the Bearcats are in a great position here.
There's been only two other visits Thompson has made since the first of the year. He stopped with his teammates Friday in Toledo, but he told me that was for them, not him. He basically has no interest in the Rockets. And on Jan. 22, Thompson visited Michigan State for junior day. He told me he was sorry the Spartans lost one of their assistant coaches, but still has a good bond with the rest of the staff. Thompson also really likes coach Mel Tucker, too.
No visits planned right now, but Thompson said he'd like to see at least four more schools, likely from the list of see USC, Penn State, Arkansas, Kentucky and Michigan. Honestly, I think it's the same from this fall, that it sounds to me like Michigan State is the leader here. But I do think UC is right there, likely in second or third. So the Bearcats still have a shot, though they'll have to really work him hard. He wants to have at least a top list by the end of March.
Full story coming
