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by Mike Finnerty (mike.finnerty@surewestsports.com)
After months of speculation, football star Shaq Thompson of Grant selected the Cal Golden Bears as his college of choice.
The 6'1", 210 pound senior safety for the Pacers was one of the nation's top recruits and considered by many to be the top safety in the country. Thompson will be expected to compete for a starting position in his freshman year.
With Cal as the pick, Thompson will be reunited with former Grant teammates Vei Moala and Puka Lopa, both freshman this past season for the Golden Bears.
Over the past several weeks Thompson made recruiting trips to several schools, including Notre Dame, Washington and Oregon, but in the end Cal was the choice, which also happened to be the same school that older brother Syd'Quan Thompson (2006 - 2009) played starred at.
Syd'Quan was a two-time first-team All-Pac-10 as cornerback and 7th round draft choice in 2010 by the Denver Broncos.
In his three years as a starter for Grant, Thompson was more than just a safety. Thompson's 4.5 40-yard speed made him one of the best running backs in the section and terrific kick returner.
When starting quarterback Terry Shine went down with an injury early in the season, Thompson took over as quarterback for the final six games where Grant won five of those games and made it to the Division II playoffs before falling to Bethel in Round 2 of the Division II playoffs.
Thompson career statistics
2011
* Rushing (1,134 yards, 15 TD's, 9.4 avg)
* Passing (45 for 78, 893 yards, 8 TD's, 132 QB rating)
* Defense (57 tackles, 1 interception)
2010
* Rushing (1,882 yards, 25 TD's, 11.4 avg)
* Receiving (345 yards, 3 TD's)
* Defense (54 tackles, 1 interception)
2009
* Rushing (364 yards, 7 TD's, 12.0 avg)
* Receiving (101 yards, 1 TD)
* Defense (74 tackles, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions)