Shaq Thompson is perhaps one of the most coveted player on the West Coast, as he's probably the most athletically ready player for the college game at this point at safety. Thompson apparently has two frontrunners for his services. Steve Wiltfong of 247 Sports reports.
The nation's top-ranked athlete recruit according to 247Sports, Sacramento (Calif.) Grant standout Shaq Thompson says he could have his college decision made by Thursday. He won't make his school of choice public until Saturday during the NBC broadcast of the U.S. Army All-America Bowl.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Thompson tells 247Sports that California and Washington are the front runners heading down the stretch. His mother will arrive in San Antonio on Thursday, and that's when he plans to iron everything out.
Shaq really loves Cal for multiple reasons. It's close to home (Cal is the closest big-time college to Sacramento), and Shaq has a great relationship with the coaching staff given that his brother Syd'Quan was on the team from 2005 to 2009. Shaq also has a great appreciation for Washington because his teammate James Sample is on the Huskies defensive squad.
Notre Dame, Oregon, and USC are potential possibilities as well, but it'd be a surprise if anyone other than Cal or Washington gets selected this Saturday.
To discuss Shaq's recruitment, head to the California Golden Blogs to talk with Cal fans, and go to UW Dawg Pound to talk with Washington fans.