Dunbar grad Deven Thompkins making NFL debut with Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dunbar High graduate Deven Thompkins signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on May 13 hoping for a shot to make the roster.
After spending the first four weeks on the practice squad, the 5-foot-8 wide receiver will get his shot as the Bucs elevated him from the practice squad Saturday for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Here are some things to know about Thompkins, who will wear No. 83.
More: Utah State receiver, Fort Myers native Deven Thompkins having a mountain of a season
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Star at Utah State
He played four seasons at Utah State (2018-21), appearing in 40 games, recording 171 receptions for 2,519 yards and 15 touchdowns. ranked second in the FBS in 2021 with his 1,704 receiving yards, earning Associated Press third-team All-America honors in his final season. Thompkins earned himself First-Team All-Mountain West accolades, becoming the first Aggies wide receiver to be named all-conference in 21 years.
Standout at three high schools
Thompkins spent one year at Island Coast and two years at Bishop Verot before going to Dunbar. Coaches at Island Coast got Thompkins on the radar for the Aggies. In his senior year, as a receiver he caught 34 passes for 510 yards and seven touchdowns and had three interceptions as a defensive back, including one for a touchdown. He received Class 4A all-state honors as a sophomore and junior at Bishop Verot.
Injuries open the door
The Bucs also activated undrafted free agent wide receiver Kaylon Geiger along with Thompkins as the team has three receivers listed as questionable for Sunday due to injury (Julio Jones, Russell Gage, Breshad Perriman).
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Tampa Bay Buccaneers elevate Dunbar's Deven Thompkins for NFL debut
