When junior college transfer Mark Thompson steps onto the field for the Florida Gators this season, he hopes to make a major impact that head coach Jim McElwain and company would certainly appreciate.
According to the Associated Press, Thompson has set the lofty goal of 1,000 yards in seven games this season.
How will Thompson achieve such a high goal? It all starts with the confidence that the 6-foot-2, 242-pound running back will be taking into the team’s season-opener.
”It’s realistic, definitely, for sure,” Thompson said.
”If I’m doing the right things, coming to practice, working, coming to the games working harder, then, yeah, it’s realistic.”
As a sophomore last season at Dodge City (Kansas) Community College, Thompson ran for 1,298 yards and 18 touchdowns. And once he knew that Kelvin Taylor was off to the NFL, he knew Florida was a good fit for him.
Thompson chose Florida over the likes of Arizona State, Iowa, Iowa State, Louisville and Alabama.
”Florida was the right fit for me because I know Coach McElwain likes bigger running backs,” Thompson said. ”At the same time, I know Florida had Kelvin Taylor as the main ball carrier. I found out there was a chance he would go to the NFL and I wanted to fill his shoes or fill his spot at least.”
If Thompson can live up to the expectations that he has for himself, we could have a new star emerging in the SEC and one that would be welcomed by the Gators faithful.
Florida begins its 2016 season on Sept. 3 against UMass. It will be Thompson’s first chance to shine.
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