Leading the Way: Thompson Trying to Set Example for Young Receiving Corps
Thursday, July 21, 2011 | Football, Scott Carter
HOOVER, Ala. – As a fifth-year senior, Gators receiver Deonte Thompson has reached that point in his career when the word “veteran” is sometimes placed before his name in stories.
A season after helping Belle Glade's Glades Central win the Class 3A state championship five years ago, Thompson watched from the sideline as Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy in 2007.
Thompson finally made it onto the field in 2008, winning a national championship and catching 18 passes as a redshirt freshman. In 2009, the Gators had a perfect regular season and finished 13-1 as Thompson chipped in with 24 catches.
This is where the story takes a turn for Thompson.
He had the best season of his career in 2010, catching a career-high 38 passes for 570 yards. However, he had a career-low one touchdown catch and the Gators lost five games, the most disappointing defeat coming at home to South Carolina in a loss that prevented Florida from earning a third consecutive trip to the SEC Championship Game.
Once the season ended and the transition from Urban Meyer to Will Muschamp settled into day-to-day reality for the players, Thompson slipped on his veteran's cap in talks with the younger players, especially a group of receivers lacking anyone close to his experience.
“I told all the younger guys, 'Are you going to go the distance?' Are you with us or not?' '' Thompson said at SEC Football Media Days on Wednesday. “Most of our team is pretty close though, so it wasn't that hard.''
Thompson viewed the response as a positive first step in his role as a team leader. He knows the receivers need a leader as much as any position group considering they are adjusting to a new pro-style offense that is expected to feature them in the play-calling on a regular basis.
Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis has made the adjustment period easy so far according to Thompson.
“He's real good at finding out what we're good at and sticking to that,'' he said. “That's our identity. He keeps it simple. He is just going to give you a lot of different looks – same play, different looks. He doesn't make it too difficult out there. He wants you to go play fast.''
While the unit lacks longevity, the receiving corps returns nearly everyone who produced regularly last season. Seven of the players who had 10 or more catches last year return, with Carl Moore the only non-returner.
“Young and ambitious,'' is how Thompson described the group. “We've got a bunch of young guys who are hungry and want to be successful.''
The top receivers returning include Frankie Hammond (22 catches last season), Omarius Hines (20) and Andre Debose (10). A pair of true freshmen – Robert Clark and Solomon Patton – also received regular playing time among the group of returning receivers.
While Debose excelled at kickoff returns – he returned two for touchdowns and averaged 28 yards a return – his presence in the passing game moved at a slower pace. He finished with 10 catches for 96 yards.
Considered one of the top receivers in the 2009 recruiting class, if Debose can expand his role in Weis' offense, he would add a huge presence to the passing game.
Muschamp is hoping more receivers step up in fall camp to provide Weis and quarterback John Brantley more options.
“More playmaking ability outside,'' Muschamp said of the unit's need. “Deonte and Quinton [Dunbar] are two guys that were probably our best vertical threats in the spring. We need more. We need more playmaking ability outside of that.''
Dunbar climbed the depth chart perhaps as much as any player in spring camp after playing in only two games as a freshman without a catch. A 6-foot-2, 190-pound sophomore who played at Miami's Booker T. Washington High, Dunbar has a nice blend of size and speed.
Brantley saw a group in the spring that was focused on taking advantage of a fresh start in a new offense in the same way he is.
“They are working hard as can be,'' Brantley said. “They have all bought into this new offense. It favors them just as much as anybody else. Coach Weis knows how to pick apart defenses. All those receivers have bought in and they are ready to see how it works.''
Running back Chris Rainey and versatile Trey Burton also figure to remain involved in the passing game – Burton was second on the team with 32 catches last season and Rainey fourth with 25.
However, if the plan goes according to script, the receivers should get most of the looks downfield in Weis' offense. Thompson was shocked when he first heard Weis was coming to UF.
“At first, I thought it was just a rumor,'' he said. “I thought, 'He's in Kansas City, he's not coming here.' I'm glad he's here.”
With camp nearly here, Thompson said now it's time for the receivers to back up what they discussed during the offseason. If they do, he expects them to have a chance to get back to Atlanta before he sheds his veteran label.
“Last year I wouldn't say it was all on Brantley,'' Thompson said. “It could have been plays where we could have gotten open quicker. It's more than just him. The O-line has to block right, the receivers have to run the right routes.''
