There’s nothing small about Josiah Thompson.
By ninth grade, he was already 6-foot-5. At Dillon High, quarterbacks knew they had all the time in the world to find a receiver, wave to the crowd, and casually throw the ball, confident that Thompson’s massive presence on the left side of the line would keep any pressure at bay.
But that was high school, even if it was at 101 Chapman Ave., where they know a thing or two about championship football. This is the SEC, where true freshmen often get chewed up, spit out, and then lectured about how they should have waited to play in a man’s league.
So, all the hype surrounding Thompson—one of South Carolina’s most highly regarded prospects, and one of only two offensive linemen ever named the state’s “Mr. Football” since the award began in 1991—starting at left tackle for the Gamecocks this season… that’s just talk, right?
Would South Carolina really entrust the blind side of redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers to a kid who only turned 18 four months ago?
“If he earns it,” said offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley. “If he’s giving us the best chance to win at that position, then he’s going to be the one out there.”
In the first two weeks of preseason camp, Thompson has been seen with the first-team offensive line multiple times, though only in brief glimpses during open sessions. Only the coaches know who’s taking most of the reps at left tackle once the media is ushered out and the gates close.
But no one is denying the reports, Tweets, whispers, or message-board posts that say Thompson is LT1.
“Obviously, as much as I think about Josiah and his ability and future, playing in the SEC is a huge challenge for anyone, whether they’re a freshman or a senior,” said Kelvin Roller, Thompson’s coach at Dillon. “I’m sure he’s going to face some tough moments this year, but overall, I think South Carolina is thrilled to have him and to coach a kid with his potential.
“One thing I do know—Josiah Thompson will give it everything he’s got.”
He’s listed at 6-foot-7 and 300 pounds in the media guide, though Thompson mentioned at Media Day two weeks ago that he’s currently around 290, aiming to reach 295 or 300. According to Roller, that 290 pounds is almost entirely muscle, without any of the excess fat often seen on linemen.
Maintaining that weight effectively has been crucial since Thompson first shot up to well above the average height for an eighth-grader. Coaches recognized his potential early on and began focusing on improving his flexibility and his ability to bend and stay low.
