Wood’s Thompson to choose Florida?

Archbishop Wood's Colin Thompson, a major force as a tight end and defensive end, will announce his college choice at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Warminster school.

The 6-foot-5, 255-pound junior, an Inquirer first-team all-Southeastern Pennsylvania selection last season, has 20 Division I scholarship offers.

After two feel-good visits to Gainesville, Thompson is expected to choose Florida over the likes of Wisconsin, Penn State, and West Virginia.

The Doylestown resident would become the second recent blue-chip area recruit to commit to the Gators. Sharrif Floyd, a 2010 product of George Washington, posted 23 tackles, including 10 solos, for Florida last fall as a freshman defensive tackle.

Last week, Wood's Desmon Peoples, a quick-footed tailback, committed to Rutgers. The 5-7, 170-pounder had scholarship offers from five other schools, including Pittsburgh and Temple.

The Vikings, who advanced to the PIAA Class AAA state semifinals last season, have three other juniors drawing significant Division I interest: offensive linemen Frank Taylor and Brandon Arcidiacono, and defensive back Nate Smith, a transfer from George Washington.

Thompson, projected to be a tight end in college, has been selected to play in the 2012 Under Armour All-America Game, set for January in Orlando, Fla.