Shaq Thompson presents himself as a young man without a worry in the world. He is all relaxed smiles and charm.

And why not? The Grant High School senior tailback is prized by college recruiters. Notre Dame wants him. Alabama, too. And Auburn. And USC. And Cal, Washington and dozens of others.

His phone is constantly buzzing. His Facebook inbox is full of inquiries from fans curious about his next move, all pitching their program. The stacks of mail on college stationery fill a recycling bin at home the size of a couch.

But Shaq is not easy to corner, by any measure. He is swift and elusive in cleats (football season), spikes (track season) or even sandals (relax-mode season these days). This is one fast phenom.

At 6-foot-2 and 212 pounds, Thompson is long, lean and muscled. He has the sort of frame that makes you mutter "NFL."

His brother and idol, Syd Thompson, was a national prep recruit at Grant a few seasons back and started for four years at cornerback for Cal. He is now preparing for his second season with the Denver Broncos.

Kid brother Shaq is taller, heavier, stronger and faster (Syd will dispute the speed factor, of course).

He suddenly finds himself as the most coveted Grant Pacer of them all, a decorated list that includes Channing Williams, Clyde Sanders, Chad Elliott, Donte' Stallworth, Onterrio Smith, Christian Tupou and Vei Moala.

College coaches envision Thompson as a runner, wide receiver or cornerback. Grant coach Mike Alberghini plans to unleash his Shaq Attack on all comers this season as an every-down warrior.

"I don't think Shaq even understands how great he is," Alberghini said. "He's such a humble kid, a team guy."

Thompson is a community guy, too. It's not uncommon for him to befriend an impressionable 8-year-old and offer life lessons on academics and work ethic.

Thompson is a favorite son in Del Paso Heights, which lives for its football, and he's a brother and friend to all.

But where will he wind up? He doesn't have a clue.

"There's no hurry, and I just want to enjoy this season, help my team and give this community something to be proud of," Thompson said, tossing a half-deflated football 50 yards in sandals without so much as a warm-up toss.

Fear the (new) beard

The other notable beard in the Bay Area belongs to Andrew Luck. The Stanford quarterback sported a Paul Bunyan-like growth on Pac-12 Media Day this week, though he was "hesitant to call it a beard." Cardinal coach David Shaw said he hopes his star can "just get his helmet on."

Play for pay

Hours after the NFL lockout ended, wide receiver Jeremy Ross (Laguna Creek and Cal) and long-snapper Ryan Coulson (Elk Grove and Nevada) signed with the New England Patriots.

Stallworth's next stop

Wide receiver Stallworthhas signed a free-agent deal with the Washington Redskins, eager to prove that his weary legs still have some juice after so many injuries.

Barnes back on track

Matt Barnes (Del Campo) of the Los Angeles Lakers has recovered from a torn meniscus in his right knee, scoring 28 points Thursday in a San Francisco Pro-Am League game.

Barnes vs. Stallworth

Any mention of Stallworth and Barnes offers this 1997 flashback.

Barnes said he would play scholarship football if he could inflict any damage against Stallworth in a prep football showdown.

Playing cornerback and surrendering seven inches in height, Stallworth blanketed the 6-foot-7 Barnes and shut him out.

Barnes had 28 touchdown receptions that season.

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