MOBILE, Ala. — St. Paul’s Episcopal School cornerback Jalen Thompson, who held scholarship offers from several Southeastern Conference programs, gave a verbal commitment Tuesday to South Alabama, where he plans to play both football and baseball.
Thompson, a rising senior, chose the Jaguars over offers from SEC schools including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, South Carolina and Vanderbilt. He also held offers from California, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Minnesota, NC State, Northern Illinois and Southern Miss.
Staying Home
“It’s close to home,” Thompson told AL.com. “I think South is a school on the rise, and I really wanted to play football and baseball. I’m excited.”
Thompson, listed at 6 feet and 170 pounds, is rated a three- or four-star prospect depending on the recruiting service, which would make him among the highest-rated players to commit to South Alabama’s football program. He has said he is “100%” committed to the Jaguars. He cannot sign a national letter of intent until Feb. 4, 2015, and other programs that offered him are expected to continue recruiting him.
Two-Sport Standout
As a junior in 2013, Thompson intercepted seven passes and returned two for touchdowns. He also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble and made 39 tackles.
In baseball, Thompson was a Mobile Press-Register All-Region selection at shortstop after batting .350 with 35 stolen bases. St. Paul’s finished 29-4 and reached the second round of the Class 5A playoffs.
At South Alabama, Thompson expects to play cornerback and return kicks for head football coach Joey Jones and to move from shortstop to center field for head baseball coach Mark Calvi.
South Alabama’s football program competes in the Sun Belt Conference and plays its home games at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. The baseball team plays at Eddie Stanky Field on campus.
