Steve Edelson @steveedelsonapp Nov 21
As his Ocean teammates prepare for Matawan, Tyler Thompson focused on a full recovery http://on.app.com/1qYt9Hh via @AsburyParkPress
Ocean's Tyler Thompson focused on a full recovery
Stephen Edelson; @SteveEdelsonAPP 7:30 p.m. EST November 19, 2014
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WALL – – Study Tyler Thompson, listen carefully as he speaks and there's little to betray the fact that his world's been turned upside down.
There are other signs, like the crutches that support the talented junior as the broken bones in his left leg heal.
And the sight of his Ocean Township teammates practicing behind him, indoors at GoodSports USA on Wednesday, as they prepare for their CJ Group III semifinal showdown with Matawan after knocking off top-seeded Hopewell Valley.
But the demeanor and outlook of one of the Shore's top players, a 6-2, 210-pound running back with room to grow, belies his situation during a time when the college recruiting process is heating up.
""I just try to focus on coming back next year, because I know a lot of people are doubting me, that I won't be the same,'' he said. ""I'm going to overcome this injury, not matter what. I don't want my senior year to be my lowest yard-wise and touchdown-wise just because of this injury.''
Everyone knew the injury as bad when Thompson was tackled with four minutes to play in their loss to Red Bank Catholic at Albert Carrelli Field on Nov. 1, as the two orthopedists on the sideline that night set the leg on the field and placed it in a splint before loading him into the ambulance.
The next morning Thompson underwent surgery on the two broken bones, attaching a rod to his tibia. Ever since then he's been pestering everyone, from his doctors and coaches to his family, about when he can start his rehabilitation.
""As soon as I got hurt I was thinking, "I'm not going to get over 1,000 yards all four years,'' he said. ""And I don't want any colleges to think I'm not going to be the same back next year, because I will be.''
Now, the goal is to be ready to run at the various recruiting camps next summer, before proving himself on the field as a senior after rushing for 2,492 yards over the course of his freshman and sophomore seasons.
""Are there schools that are going to back off him?'' said Chris Melvin, analyst for EliteRecruits.com. ""You may have some schools that will say "we're looking elsewhere.' That's going to happen. But there are going to be a lot of school who are going to say 'we're going to see what happens with him.' ''
Melvin was at Bishop McDevitt High School in Harrisburg, Pa. in 2005 when senior LeShon McCoy suffered a badly broken ankle, using the Philadelphia Eagles running back, who went on to star at in college at Pittsburgh, as an example of what's possible.
""I think most realize Tyler Thompson has great size,'' Melvin said. ""He's not one of those dart-like backs. He's an I-formation back. The thing he brings is he's powerful and he's explosive. Can he come back with those same attributes? I know he can because I know what kind of kid he is, and I've seen it with LeShon McCoy.''
The night he was injured Thompson's phone never stopped ringing, with friends from throughout the Shore Conference, including some who even played with him on an AYF All-Star team that went to Florida when they were eighth graders, reached out to offer their support.
And in the days that followed, there were other calls, too.
""I talked to Coach Z (Mike Zyskowski) from Old Dominion, coach (Bobby) Acosta from Syracuse, and coach (Joe) Rossi from Rutgers,'' Thompson said, ""and they all said "just kill it in physical therapy, we're on your side, we're hoping your leg gets better.' They haven't really dropped any offers or anything like that.''
Now, the hardest part for Thompson is watching.
Not the play itself. He's seen the replay of the pass he caught in the right flat a bunch of times, trying to analyze what went wrong.
It's having to stand on the sideline as his teammates press on, unable to help, aside from some emotional support.
But as you listen to Thompson talk in measured, confident tones, you find it hard to believe he won't take his place next fall as one of the state's most coveted running backs.
