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Wood’s Thompson commits to Florida football

In every recruiting process, hopefully, there's that time when the light goes on.

In every recruiting process, hopefully, there's that time when the light goes on.

Even if a guy's eyes are not in danger of being scorched, he knows that somehow, some way, this college will almost certainly be the one.

Colin Thompson, a 6-5, 255-pound junior tight end at Archbishop Wood High, Thursday made an oral commitment to play football at the University of Florida and well after the news conference, held in the auditorium, was completed, he distributed an interesting assist.

Remember Sharrif Floyd, the all-everything stud from George Washington's Class of 2010?

Well, he has already logged one successful season on the Gators' defensive line and he spent some time with Thompson when Colin made the first of what turned out to be two unofficial visits to Gainesville.

"Sharrif Floyd. I love that guy," Thompson said. "You could tell that he's already a team leader. And he was 10 times nicer to me than I could have even imagined.

"I remember I asked him specifically, 'Why'd you choose Florida? What impressed you the most?' He said he chose Florida because it would provide him the best opportunity to go to the NFL, and that was what he wanted to do. I heard that and said, 'I can't agree any more.'

"I kept thinking about that. That's what I want to do and this is the best opportunity for me, too."

Thompson did not decide right then and there. In fact, after the first unofficial visit - which he made with his dad, Dave, and Steve Devlin, Wood's coach - he made another the Wednesday before Easter with both parents (mom is Karen).

Also, along the way, he made unofficial treks to Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, Rutgers, Pitt and Boston College, which was the first school (of what became 21!) to extend an offer. But strong thoughts of Florida were always in his mind. Right in the very front.

As the winter began, Florida was nothing more than a state to Thompson. Then, coach Urban Meyer resigned and the new boss, Will Muschamp, hired Charlie Weis as his offensive coordinator. Weis, the former head coach at Notre Dame, was the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive coordinator in 2010 and, no surprise, will run a pro-style offense at Florida.

Speaking of the NFL, how does Devlin feel about Thompson's chances?

"That's his dream, and he does everything he can to try to reach it," Devlin said. "Florida has the facilities and strength program to get him where he wants to be. And they have 56 years of NFL coaching experience on that college staff. They know what an NFL tight end should be and they offered Colin . . . I feel he's going into the best situation."

Thompson, who lives in Doylestown and is also a standout defensive end, is the second Viking junior to make an oral commitment, joining star rusher Desmon Peoples (Rutgers). Defensive back Nate Smith, a recent transfer from Washington, and offensive linemen Frank Taylor and Brandon Arcidiacono are also being stalked.

As the media session began, Thompson was seated at a table on the stage with his parents (to his right) and Devlin. At here-we-go time, he reached under the table, pulled a Florida hat from his school bag, tugged it on, stood up, then showed major Gator Chomp proficiency.

Next January - yes, he has already been selected - Thompson will travel to Orlando, Fla., to play in the Under Armour All-America Game, a contest for the country's very best seniors.

Know what? Sharrif Floyd also played in a national-level all-star game.

Fodder for future conversations. *