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Three-star Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Dillard) defensive lineman Aaron Thompson committed to the Maryland football program on Jan. 21. He hasn't publicly decommitted from the Terps, but Thompson strongly suggested on Sunday that he'd make a final decision between Maryland and South Carolina on National Signing Day.
Thompson retweeted this:
Just got word that #Dillard HS DT Aaron Thompson (@ITSGREATNESS_99) will announce on signing day between #Maryland & #SouthCarolina
— Sleeper Athletes (@SleeperAthletes) January 31, 2016
And followed up by saying he'd make his college choice known on National Signing Day, Wednesday:
Feb 3rd signing day the whole world will know where I go.
— Aaron B Thompson Jr. (@ITSGREATNESS_99) January 31, 2016
Thompson was the second of what's become a January run of six Florida commits to DJ Durkin's Terrapins. He's the program's only defensive lineman set for the class of 2016, as the team pursues four-star local defensive end Terrell Hall, unrated Florida end Dion Goldbourne and likely others.
On the 247Sports Composite, Thompson is rated the No. 31 strong-side defensive end in the 2016 class and the 94th-best player overall in Florida. He's listed at 6'4 and 265 pounds, giving him the kind of frame that could lead to quick playing time in what will be a young Maryland defensive front.
South Carolina hired former Florida head coach Will Muschamp – who was Durkin's boss while the current Maryland coach was the Gators' defensive coordinator – to replace the retired Steve Spurrier. Muschamp had a disastrous on-field run in Gainesville, but he's known as a tough recruiter.
He brought on former Gators defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson as his defensive coordinator at South Carolina, and Robinson is recruiting Thompson for the Gamecocks. Robinson had been a candidate to join Durkin's Maryland staff before going with Muschamp to South Carolina.