Alabaster (Ala.) Thompson already has the look of a factory for defensive backs, and Eli King is the next name in line.
The 2028 three-star safety is stepping into a starting job for the defending 7A state champions, and he’s doing it in a secondary loaded with college-bound talent. Texas safety pledge Junior Tu’upo, Baylor cornerback commit Micah Fleming and Troy corner commit Conner Williams are all in the mix with him, giving Thompson a back end that King knows is different.
"We've got a lot of guys with a lot of experience, and they know what they're doing," King said. "They're technicians."
King’s assignment this fall is built around speed. He’ll line up primarily at safety alongside the harder-hitting Tu’upo, while also sliding into the nickel spot in certain packages. At 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, he may not have the size some blueblood programs usually want right away, but the production is already there: 45 tackles and 4 interceptions as a sophomore.
The interest around him is real, and so is the list of schools involved. Georgia was King’s dream school growing up, and he already has an offer from the Bulldogs. He also turned in a 4.41 40-yard dash at their camp this summer.
"They push up top draft prospects every year at DB," King said.
Florida is another SEC school squarely in the picture. King picked up an offer from the Gators in June and said the communication with the defensive staff has stayed steady, especially with defensive coordinator Brad White and safeties coach Chris Collins.
" Florida is definitely up there," King said.
This summer also took him to SMU and California. SMU stands out because his mom is from the Dallas area, which makes the region familiar, and he likes the direction the program is heading. He pointed to safeties coach and Co-DC Rickey Hunley Jr. and assistant secondary coach Jonathan McGill as two staffers he talks with often.
"I love SMU, I love what [head coach Rhett] Lashslee is doing down there," said King, who mentioned safeties coach and Co-DC Rickey Hunley Jr. as well as assistant secondary coach Jonathan McGill as two assistants he talks to regularly.
Stanford remains in the mix, and Arkansas and Tennessee are among the other SEC programs watching him closely this season. King also plans to get back to Gainesville for a game day during the first month of the 2026 campaign, and he wants to take in home games at UGA, Arkansas, Tennessee, SMU and Auburn.
" Auburn is like a factory for Thompson DBs"
As for when a decision might come, King isn’t locked into a date. He’s weighing the idea of making a pledge sooner rather than later so he can keep his focus on his junior season.
"It's whenever it feels right. Maybe some time around the season," King said. "Just when everything feels good."
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Florida QB Battle Reignites Concern Over Aaron Philos Biggest Limitation
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Florida Receiver Battle Just Got Tougher For One Overlooked Gator
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Now the work gets more competitive. Abrams is headed into fall camp with a crowded group of receivers around him, and hes using the offseason to sharpen the parts of his game that can separate him from the pack, focusing on his speed and route running with the staff. For a player looking to carve out a bigger role, theres not much margin for error, and this camp will be a first real test of whether that patience turns into opportunity. [Read more 🡒]