Utah State's Deven Thompkins is on a quest to fulfill NFL dreams with Buccaneers


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LOGAN — The phrase "chip on the shoulder" is an often exhausted mantra; but alongside work ethic and natural ability, it's a mentality that can supplement an athlete's value and provide greater opportunity.

That seems to be the case for Deven Thompkins.

The former Utah State wide receiver signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in April; and similar to his college career, where the 5-foot-7 Florida native went from being a zero-star recruit to an Associated Press All-American in four seasons, Thompkins is keeping that chip on the shoulder mentality as he looks to, once again, defy the odds and make Tampa Bay's 53-man roster in the fall.

"That's already a part of my DNA, you know what I mean?" Thompkins said. "Like, that was already instilled into me when I was at Utah State, and I just wanted to carry it over.

"I know that if I do the same things that I did going into college at Utah State, I can have the possibility to have the same success that I had at Utah State. So it's just really keeping the same mindset but elevated a little more, you know what I mean?"

The early returns suggest the mentality might be working for Thompkins. Several members of the Buccaneers organization took notice after the team's mandatory three-day minicamp.

All-pro receiver Mike Evans told reporters that Thompkins "did really well" after the second day of minicamp. The following day, Bucs head coach Todd Bowels mentioned Thompkins to reporters when asked if anyone stood out throughout the camp.

"I would love to see what Thompkins does in training camp," Bowles said. "He's quick, he's fast, he's explosive off of the ball, and he's made some good catches. ... So, we want to see how he continues to learn and how he does in training camp and preseason. I'll be looking at him."

Crediting the comments Bowles made, as well as Thompkins' 2021 college stats — he was second nationally with 1,704 reception yards — ESPN named Thompkins the "surprise season standout" from the Bucs minicamp workouts.

Thompkins credited his recent success to Bucs wide receiver coach Kevin Gaver.

"I can control how I come out there — my attitude, my effort, you know, the little things — and let my athletic ability to take over," Thompkins said. "I know that they're gonna see that, that's something that they can't miss. That's why, coach Bowles said what he said in the press conference, just because I come to work every day."

Thompkins' early success comes on the heels of a disappointing draft week, where he didn't hear his name called despite impressive pro-day numbers and interest from several teams. That certainly added to his motivation; however, it may have also been a blessing in disguise.

His agent called him at the end of the draft and said he had plenty of suitors, including the Bucs, who are just a two-hour drive from his hometown of Fort Myers.

For Thompkins, a father of two young children, that made the Bucs an easy choice. His son, who lived with him in Logan during last season, as well as his daughter, both currently live in Fort Myers.

"To stay close to home, it makes it easier for my life in general, you know, being closer to my family," he said.

"So far since I've been here I've been up there every single weekend. So I mean, it's been really nice. I get to see them more," he added. "It's different, me being a lot closer now because we're not really used to me being so close. I can come back whenever I need to."

While the fatherly duties were a deciding factor for Thompkins in choosing Tampa Bay, it's an exciting landing spot football-wise, as well. He has a chance to catch passes from one of the greatest to play the game in Tom Brady and be a part of the same receiving core as Evans, one of the top receivers in the league. Thompkins admitted it was surreal knowing who his new teammates were.

"I was kind of worried about just how they would be, like, introducing myself to them," Thompkins said. "And just wondering how they were as individuals. But being around them, I feel like, really the first day, just like after the first meeting, I felt like they really embraced me. Like Tom and Mike, you know, they both really embraced me, just talked to me like a regular person.

Thompkins was able to spend time with a familiar face during the camp, as fellow Aggies alum Nick Heninger was invited to attend the Bucs minicamp. Training camp begins on July 27, and Thompkins will have a chance to cultivate deeper relationships with his new teammates than what a three-day minicamp can provide.

In the meantime, he'll prepare to play the best football of his life, which is likely what it will take to make the Tampa Bay regular-season roster. The Bucs typically keep six receivers on their roster in the season. Currently, there are 13 receivers on the offseason roster.

In May, Garver said Evans and Chris Goodwin were the only two players solidified, and then "it's open season." Russell Gage and Breshad Perriman are two other receivers that are expected to take a roster spot, according to bucsreport.com.

Beyond that, there is plenty of competition for Thompkins, including fellow UDFA Jerreth Sterns out of Western Kentucky, who was the only player in the nation with more receiving yards than Thompkins last season. No matter how it shakes out, however, Thompkins is happy with his decision to pursue the NFL.

"I definitely made the right decision," he said. "Just the knowledge and the things like that I learned, just from playing behind Mike Evans and catching balls from Tom Brady. ... If I end up at another team, you know, there are a lot of things that I learn within this rookie year that I'll be able to take with me for the rest of my football career. So that's a great thing."

He'll keep the chip on his shoulder and do whatever he can to make the team — and then help them win when he does.

"Really, just make plays anywhere I can, you know, whether it's on special teams, offense or whatever the case is," Thompkins said. "I just want to make plays. I want to be more so of a factor. I want to help win the Super Bowl."

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