Will Josiah Thompson be a five-star?

On3 is highest in the recruiting industy on Josiah Thompson’s abilities. The South Carolina Gamecocks verbal commitment is currently ranked by the network as the number one offensive tackle prospect in the country.

“I really like his reactive quickness,” said Charles Power, director of On3’s scouting and rankings. “I think that’s what stands out to me the most is he can really move side to side. He’s got good balance, I think he continued to get stronger, and then just the functional movement skills.”

Thompson, who committed to South Carolina back in April, checks in at number 18 regardless of position for On3.

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Only 14 prospects currently carry five-star desigations, but that number will eventually grow to 32, mirroring the first round of the NFL Draft.

“The biggest reason why we don’t have a five-star offensive lineman yet is we just wanted to see a little more and have a little more clarity with that group,” Power explained. “There’s more ambiguity with the offensive tackle and offensive line groups in general than other positions, because we just did not get to see any of those guys in person this summer.”

The Dillon (South Carolina) product carried an impressive offer list from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee, and numerous others.

“They’re getting a very, very athletic person that can play on the edge, which is very rare, and that’s what I’ve had all these D1 coaches from all over the country tell me, that you don’t find guys that can maneuver out in space on the edge on the offensive line like he can, pass-setting on those very, very athletic defensive ends that you’re going to play against in the SEC,” said Thompson’s high school coach, Kelvin Roller, in April.

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As On3 continues to research prospects and update rankings, eventually, a five-star will likely emerge on the offensive line.

Thompson has a good shot to ultimately earn that marker.

“I would say he’s in pole position, but there’s a lot that could be sorted out there,” Power said. “A lot of it is going to have to do with how these guys look as seniors. And then, really seeing them in person in those All-American Games will have a big final say in where they end up. I would put him as the leader in the clubhouse right now.”

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