Thigpen Picks UCLA Over Notre Dame, Tennessee
Stonewall Jackson star running back and standout hurdler Damien Thigpen signed a national letter of intent to play football, and run track, for UCLA, eschewing several other top DI opportunities and offers.
In just five games in 2008, Thigpen racked up 772 yards and 14 touchdowns after recovering from the ankle injury he suffered before the season began.
MANASSAS, VA - Stonewall Jackson star running back, and Gameday's Elite Top 10 Recruit, Damien Thigpen, today signed a national letter of intent to play football in the Fall for the UCLA Bruins.
Thigpen had verbally committed to the University of Tennessee prior to the 2008 football season, but recanted that commitment after the firing of Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, and after new coach Lane Kiffin told Thigpen and his family that although the school would honor the scholarship offer, he was not in the program's future plans. Raider head coach Mike Dougherty said that, "Damien came back very unhappy (after his UT visit) and wanted to open up the [recruiting process]." Once word got out that Thigpen had done just that, the flood gates opened with renewed interest in the speedy running back.
Dougherty added that the list of schools clammering to the Thigpen family's doorstep, and to the school, included Auburn, Virginia, Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Notre Dame. Thigpen visited the UCLA campus last week, and was scheduled to pay a visit to Notre Dame on the 13th of this month, after Irish offensive coordinator Ron Powlus visited the senior recently at the Manassas school. It is belived that UCLA and Notre Dame were the only 2 schools that officially tendered scholarship offers prior to today's signing.
Reports around the recruiting world added Minnesota, Stanford, and West Virginia, as schools interested in the running back that some recruiting sites listed as the #32 running back in the country for the class of 2009 top 100. He is also listed as the 25th-best athlete in the nation, and is coveted as the #4 Top Recruit in the Gameday Elite 10.
In just five games in 2008, Thigpen racked up 772 yards and 14 touchdowns after recovering from the ankle injury he suffered before the season began. He helped lead the Raiders to a 3-2 record over those games and the Radiers finished 3-7 for the year.
Added coach Dougherty, "Damien has meant a lot to our program. He continued to be positive and support his team throughout the entire time he was sidelined with his injury (for the 1st half of the 2008 football season), and he kept his composure, with a smile on his face, the whole time going through this (recruiting) process. He is a great kid, and (the Thigpen's) are a great family. We're going to miss him, but are excited for his future."
Thigpen was not readily available for comment prior to this article, but Doug Thigpen, Damien's father spoke to us over the telephone today and said that the whole family is excited for this opportunity for their son. "We think this (UCLA) is a phenomenal oppprtunity for Damien, not only for him playing football and running for the track program, but academically, as well." UCLA will allow Thigpen to be a part of both the football and track programs at the school.
When asked, why sign with UCLA today when a visit to Notre Dame was on the horizon, Mr. Thigpen noted, "Nothing against Notre Dame at all. The coaching staff we met with was excellent, and they made an offer to Damien to play football and run track. We just wanted to get it done today and over with. Notre Dame is an excellent school, and [the tradition of] their academic and football programs goes without saying. UCLA and Notre Dame are both excellent schools, but we just felt UCLA was more attractive for Damien in the track program, to go along with football and academics."
The staff at Gameday Magazine, and Gamedaymagazine.com, extend our hearty congratulations to Damien and the entire Thigpen family, and wish Damien continued success as he ventures into his college career!
