The five-star quarterback and the five-star wide receiver first met in the south end zone of The Swamp during a recruiting visit in 2007. There was an instant connection, and the two ended up signing with Florida, where they have forged a strong bond over the past four-and-a-half years.
“No doubt, friends forever,” the wide receiver said earlier this week.
But as close as they are, John Brantley and Deonte Thompson have never been able to form the same kind of connection on the field that many thought they would when they signed on to become Gators.
At the time, some predicted Brantley-to-Thompson had a chance to become one of the all-time great pass-catching combinations in school history.
Like Reaves-to-Alvarez, Spurrier-to-Casey, Tebow to Harvin
It hasn't happened.
Brantley-to-Thompson has an almost empty echo to it.
“There's no good answer to that,” Brantley said. “It's hard to say.”
Part of the reason is that Brantley spent his first three years at UF playing behind the now-legendary Tim Tebow.
Brantley and Thompson both ended up redshirting their freshman season, and in 2008 and 2009, Thompson's quarterback was Tebow while Brantley watched from the sideline.
When the two finally became starters together last season, they found themselves in a struggling spread-option offense that was an awkward fit for Brantley and featured little or no down-field passing.
As a result, Thompson caught only 38 passes for 570 yards and a touchdown in 2010.
Things were supposed to be better for Brantley-to-Thompson in offensive coordinator Charlie Weis' pro-style passing offense this season. But, again, the connection has not materialized. Brantley has hooked up with his good friend only 16 completions for 221 yards and zero touchdowns.
“I mean, you know, we just … everything didn't play out our way,” Thompson said. “We were in a couple of different offenses with different coaches and stuff. It happens that way sometimes.
“We made the best of what we can do. It was pretty good. It was pretty fun.”
Even though things have not worked out exactly the way they had planned during their years in Gainesville, Brantley and Thompson both said they have no regrets.
“None at all,” Thompson said. “I wouldn't change it for the world. I love Gator Nation. I wouldn't change a thing.”
It's been a tough go for both players at times, but maybe just a little tougher for Brantley, a life-long Gator who has endured criticism and doubters (and injuries) ever since he took over for Tebow in 2010.
“No regrets whatsoever,” Brantley said.
Despite playing on a bum ankle for the past five games, Brantley has had a solid senior season, throwing for 1,808 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has a career performance a week ago, throwing for 329 yards and four touchdowns. Two of his 16 completions went to Thompson, one for 41 yards that set up UF's first touchdown.
Brantley has been looking down-field for his good friend all season, but has rarely found him.
“I mean, I like to help out all my receivers as much as I can,” Brantley said. “I try to get them the ball as much as I can.
“Deonte understands, and we understand. Our relationship is as good as it's always been.”
Although he hasn't caught many passes this season, Thompson has expanded his role by playing on special teams. UF coach Will Muschamp said he's had a productive senior season.
“I think he's made some plays for us when he's been given the opportunity,” Muschamp said. “I think he's played consistent for us. He's blocked extremely well.
“Obviously, we went through a time there when John wasn't playing where we were struggling in the passing game. So, that was a little bit frustrating, I'm sure, for Deonte.
“But again, Deonte has worked extremely hard. He's done everything we've asked. He's had an outstanding career here. He's going to graduate in December. He's doing all the right things. I've been very pleased with him.”
Thompson and Brantley will be honored at Senior Day on Saturday along with the other seniors.
Brantley-to-Thompson never became big, but there are still two games to go and a chance for the good friends to finish their Florida careers strong. It starts tonight against arch-rival Florida State.
"It's definitely going to be an emotional week for us seniors,” Brantley said. “You wouldn't want it any other way because we're going to be as focused as we can be. We know how big this win is. It's not as big as an SEC championship or anything, but just to get a win over a good FSU team like this, it'll be huge for us.''
This is the last game in The Swamp for Brantley and Thompson. This is where the five-star prospects first met almost five years ago.
“That was when he had long hair,” Thompson said. “That was when he was committed to Texas. He told me he might be coming here. I said, ‘Cool, I might be coming here, too.' ”
They both did, and they've been close friends ever since, even though the other connection — Brantley-to-Thompson — has never quite taken hold.
Contact Robbie Andreu at 352-374-5022 or andreur@gvillesun.com. Also check out Andreu's blog at Gatorsports.com.
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