Penn State in the NFL

Former PSU WR DeAndre Thompkins signs with Packers

Cory Giger

Published

May 26, 2021

Photo by Penn State Athletics: DeAndre Thompkins

Former Penn State wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins has signed with the Green Bay Packers, the team announced today.

From the Packers’ release:

Thompkins is a 5-foot-11, 188-pound, first-year player out of Penn State University. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles on May 9, 2019. Thompkins was released by the Eagles following the 2019 training camp and spent a brief time with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. He finished his collegiate career tied for No. 4 in school history with two career punt return touchdowns and ranked No. 21 in career receiving yards (1,245).

#Packers sign WR DeAndre Thompkins https://t.co/3qU0IhTHKI

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) May 26, 2021

Here’s a closer look at Thompkins’ college career, from his PSU bio page.

CAREER NOTES & RECORDS

Career: Tied for fourth all-time at Penn State with two career punt return touchdowns, matching 10 other Nittany Lions (most recently: Larry Johnson, 1998-2002)…Became 31st Nittany Lion with more than 1,000 career receiving yards…Finished his career ranked 21st in at PSU in career receiving yards (1,245).

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Game: Set a school record for punt return average in a game with 31.8 yard per return vs. Akron (9/2/17), besting Derrick Williams’ mark of 31.7 vs. Temple (2006).

2018 • SENIOR SEASON

Awards: Earned the Quarterback Club Award, as a player who deserves special recognition, at the team’s awards banquet…Selected to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week following the Kent State (9/15) game.

Season: Appeared in 13 games, making six starts…One of 22 players to have earned their degree entering the 2019 Citrus Bowl…Graduated with his degree in psychology in December 2017…Graduated in December 2018 with a degree in criminology.

Rankings: Ranked No. 6 in the FBS and leads the Big Ten with one punt return touchdown…Finished No. 3 in the conference and ranks No. 24 in the nation with a 9.8 punt return average.