From one state champ to another: Football standout Bryce Thompson finds new home
Bryce Thompson has a new home to finish his high school football career.
Thompson, who announced Thursday he was transferring from Ben Lippen for his senior season, is expected to enroll Monday at Dutch Fork, Silver Foxes coach Tom Knotts confirmed to The State on Friday.
“It hurts that I’m leaving BL because of the bond that I have up there,” Thompson said. “I love my BL family and always will. But it’s great being back home. It's a homecoming for me.”
Knotts said it’s unclear what position Thompson will play at Dutch Fork but would be determined during the Silver Foxes’ spring practices.
Thompson rushed for 281 yards and three TDs as a freshman at Dutch Fork before heading to Ben Lippen. He had to sit out his sophomore season at Ben Lippen because of academics but played a big role this year in helping the Falcons to the SCISA 3A championship.
Thompson scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime to beat Porter-Gaud in the title game. He had 1,819 yards total offense and 24 TDs last year and had three interceptions on defense.
Dutch Fork last season won the Class 5A state championship. It was Dutch Fork’s second state title and capped a 15-0 season, its first perfect season.
Thompson is ranked No. 11 by 247Sports and 13th by Rivals for the Class of 2018. He committed to Virginia Tech, which recruited him as a receiver, but some schools are recruiting him as a defensive back.
South Carolina is interested in him and has offered. He also has offers from Washington State, Colorado, Georgia State, Coastal Carolina and N.C. State.
Thompson said he will attend the Gamecocks’ spring game next week and also visit Virginia Tech in the coming weeks.
This story was originally published March 24, 2017 at 4:03 PM with the headline "From one state champ to another: Football standout Bryce Thompson finds new home."