Key coaching connection helped West Salem's Simon Thompson in recruiting decision

West Salem’s Simon Thompson had a number of college options to choose from, and like many players, his decision came down to the program where he would feel most comfortable — Utah State.

“A lot of good relationships with the coaches, and then with the players, I just feel really comfortable with them,” said Thompson, who plays quarterback and safety for West Salem. “I’ll play outside linebacker (at Utah State). I’m definitely relieved now that it’s over and I’ve made my decision.”

During his recruiting process, Thompson developed a good relationship with Utah State inside linebackers coach Stacy Collins, who played college football at Western Oregon with West Salem coach Shawn Stanley.  

“I’ve gotten to know him and we have a pretty good relationship,” Thompson said about Collins. “A lot of good relationships with the coaches.”

More:McNary football turns season around in time for showdown with West Salem

Utah State is an FBS program that competes in the Mountain West Conference. The Aggies currently are 5-1 overall and lead the Mountain Division with a 2-0 conference record.

Thompson will be joining a defense that currently ranks fifth in the conference in yards allowed per game at 365.5.

“Look at his frame. He’ll come back here a couple years from now and be 230 (pounds). He’s long. Obviously, he has the speed and athletic ability,” Stanley said. “He’s going to dot every ‘i,’ cross every ‘t,’ be a weight room guy, a film-study guy, be someone they can count on, someone they’re proud to have in their program.”

Thompson is the fourth senior on this year’s West Salem team to commit to either an FBS or FCS program, joining Anthony Gould (Oregon State), Micah Pugh (Air Force) and Alex Hurlburt (Montana).

Thompson is a strong student academically, and among the offers he had were Ivy League schools Yale and Pennsylvania.

“They definitely set you up for the future a lot, I mean having a degree from Yale holds a lot of weight,” said Thompson, who plans to study business. “But I wasn’t really trying to be that far away from home, all the way to the East Coast.”

More:Football roundup: West Salem, McNary, McKay all earn wins

Stanley said he is proud of Thompson.

“He’s a well-rounded young man,” Stanley said. “The kind of guy you’d want dating your daughter, the one you’d want living next door to you. If there’s any kid that deserves success, he’s at the top of the list.”

Simon Thompson, West Salem (QB, DB — 2019 class)

Thompson threw for 475 yards and six touchdowns, and he added another 43 yards and a touchdown on the ground, in West Salem’s 46-28 win at Mountain View last week. Thompson also had eight tackles and forced a fumble on defense in the game. The Titans next host McNary at 7 p.m. Friday.

State rank (247Sports.com): No. 12

Committed: Utah State

Other Mid-Valley prospects

Ashton Adams, South Salem (OL, DL — 2019 class)

Ashton Adams is out with an injury. The Saxons next host Summit at 7:15 p.m. Friday.

State rank (247Sports.com): No. 9

Offers: Nevada, Utah State, Air Force, Georgetown, Idaho and Portland State

Erik Barker, McNary (QB, DB — 2020 class)

Barker threw a touchdown pass in McNary’s 37-26 win last week at Bend. The Celtics next play at West Salem at 7 p.m. Friday.

State rank (247Sports.com): No. 9

Offers: None

Andre Beall, North Salem (OL, DL — 2019 class)

North Salem lost 27-14 last week at Central, and the Vikings next will host South Albany at 7 p.m. Friday.

State rank (247Sports.com): Unranked

Offers: None

Diego Fuimaono, South Salem (TE, DL — 2019 class)

The Saxons lost 35-14 at Oregon City last week, and they next host Summit at 7:15 p.m. Friday.

State rank (247Sports.com): No. 18

Offers: None

Anthony Gould, West Salem (WR, DB — 2019 class)

Gould caught six passes for 125 yards and three touchdowns in West Salem’s 46-28 win last week at Mountain View. The Titans next will host McNary at 7 p.m. Friday.

State rank (247Sports.com): No. 7

Committed: Oregon State

Alex Hurlburt, West Salem (OL, LB — 2019 class)

Hurlburt had 14 tackles, including 2.5 for a loss, plus two quarterback contacts, one pass deflected and one forced fumble last week in West Salem’s 46-28 win at Mountain View. The Titans next will host McNary at 7 p.m. Friday.

State rank (247Sports.com): No. 19

Committed: Montana

Levi Nielsen, Silverton (QB — 2019 class)

Nielsen did not play last week in Silverton’s 27-14 loss at Crescent Valley. The Foxes next host McKay at 7 p.m. Friday.

State rank (247Sports.com): Unranked

Offers: None

Micah Pugh, West Salem (WR, LB — 2019 class)

Pugh caught eight passes for 214 yards and a touchdown in West Salem’s 46-28 victory last week at Mountain View. The Titans next will host McNary at 7 p.m. Friday.

State rank (247Sports.com): Unranked

Committed: Air Force

Chris Sharp, Sprague (RB, LB — 2020 class)

Sharp rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown in Sprague’s 49-14 win last week at Summit. The Olympians next will host Mountain View at 7 p.m. Friday.

State rank (247Sports.com): Unranked

Offers: None

Junior Walling, McNary (RB, LB — 2020 class)

Offensively, Walling had 133 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in McNary’s 37-26 win last week at Bend. Defensively, Walling had 11 tackles and two sacks. The Celtics next play at West Salem at 7 p.m. Friday.

State rank (247Sports.com): No. 4

Offers: Oregon State