Foley wide receiver Perry Thompson didn’t look like a future Southeastern Conference football player as a ninth grader.

But that was then.

Thompson has transformed from a 6-foot, 150-pound freshman to a 6-foot-4, 210-pound nightmare for defenses as he heads into his senior year.

“He has worked his tail off,” Foley head coach Deric Scott said. “He’s really worked his behind off in the weight room to change his body. We talk about changing your body. Don’t just go in there and hang out, and he’s done that.”

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The most up-to-date Top 247 recruiting rankings for the Class of 2024 have the 5-star Thompson, a longtime Alabama commit, ranked at No. 2 behind only Vestavia Hills’ EDGE Jordan Ross. On3 has him ranked No. 5 in the state.

“They sky is the limit for Perry,” Scott said. “He is uniquely blessed with size, speed, strength and intelligence. When you put all that together with football IQ, he is something special.”

Thompson committed to Nick Saban and Alabama last June. He returned to Tuscaloosa last weekend for the annual A-Day game.

“It was pretty cool,” he said Tuesday. “Good environment, good atmosphere. I like how they are developing the freshmen to come in and play meaningful college football.”

Thompson also has visited Auburn a number of times since the school hired Hugh Freeze and said he would likely visit there — and Tennessee — again in the coming months.

“Hugh Freeze has talked about one of the things he covets most is big, physical wide receivers with a big catch radius,” Jason Caldwell of the 247 Sports Network said recently on Sports Talk 99.5 in Mobile. “If you think about the guys he had at Ole Miss, that is what he’s looking to add. That is Perry Thompson. That is who he is.

“He is committed to Alabama, but I think he’s been to Auburn four times in the last month. He has made a lot of connections. I think he and (Auburn wide receivers coach) Marcus Davis have built a good relationship. Auburn has put itself in position to make a run at a guy they highly covet. That’s a big deal.”

Thompson, however, seemed to squash any rumors of a possible flip, saying Tuesday he was still 100 percent committed to the Crimson Tide.

“They are a good program, but I don’t have them over Alabama,” he said.

Thompson had an all-state year as a junior for Foley, catching 87 passes for 1,059 yards and 9 touchdowns for the 7A, Region 1 champs. He also had a pair of interceptions on defense. He said his goal this year for the Lions is to reach 100 receptions and at least 15 touchdowns.

“We are looking for huge things from him,” Scott said. “We are going to lean on him quite heavily. He will obviously be involved in a lot of the things we do offensively and defensively and special teams as well. He’s a focal point for us for sure.”

Scott said Thompson’s special qualities aren’t limited to the playing field.

“Perry is an outstanding young man. He is one of the best young men I’ve been around in my coaching career,” he said. “He is an outstanding person No. 1. He comes from an outstanding family. He also loves people. He loves kids. He’s a great teammate. That’s one of the best attributes I can give anyone. He truly is a team guy, and I love the fact that he loves his teammates and is truly a part of the brotherhood.”

Thompson and Foley are scheduled to start spring practice in the coming weeks. The Lions open the 2023 season by hosting Prattville Aug. 25.