Bryce Thompson will play in the SEC Eastern Division but not in Columbia.
The Dutch Fork graduate who won state championships at two different schools has enrolled at Tennessee for the summer and will be a part of the Volunteers' 2018 recruiting class.
The new Tennessee head football coach made Bryce Thompson a priority way back in January when he and his coaching staff began working Thompson who at the time was a USC pledge, but also was not likely to sign with the Gamecocks on National Signing Day. Will Muschamp wanted Thompson to improve his academic standing before signing with USC and that opened the door for other schools to move in. After Thompson visited the Knoxville school in late February and then again in April for Tennessee's Spring Game, it was clear the Volunteers had moved to the front for Thompson's services.
"It was everything," Thompson told VolQuest.com.
"It was the facilities and the coaches. Just how the treated me when other schools were backing off because they didn't know why I didn't sign with Carolina they still pursued me heavily and showed me a lot of love. It just seemed normal there."
Thompson was a standout skill player at running back and receiver for Dutch Fork. But his ability to run the ball out of the Wildcat was a big reason why the Silver Foxes defeated Dorman for the 5A state championship as he carried the ball six times for 136 yards and two touchdowns. One of the scores was on a 72-yard scamper. He also played defensive back for the Silver Foxes. He had a similar role in his junior season where he helped Ben Lippen capture the first state championship in school history.
Thompson told VolQuest.com he would prefer to start at receiver but wasn't opposed to playing defensive back. He also figures to play a role in the return game.
Thompson is the second Midlands product in Tennessee's 2018 recruiting class as he joins former Airport punter Paxton Brooks.