How Deven Thompkins balances being a USU Football star, father of two

One of the most recognizable names on the 2021 Utah State University football team is senior wide receiver Deven Thompkins.

Thompkins, or as everyone calls him, “DT,” is known for his incredible hands, blazing speed and knack for gaining yards after the catch. He led the Aggies in total receptions and receiving yards last season.

But there’s more to his story than flashy touchdown catches. Because Thompkins isn’t just a student-athlete: He’s a father of two children. He has a three-year-old daughter, Nyomi, and a son, Messiah, who is two.

Throughout his Aggie career, he’s learned how to be fully engaged on the football field and in the classroom, while trying to make a “beautiful life” for his children.

When Thompkins got the news he was going to have a daughter while he was still in high school at Dunbar High School in Fort Myers, Florida, he realized things were going to be different.

“When I really found out I was having a child, my whole world just changed at 17,” he said. “It was just, like, no matter what, this is your priority.”

It’s a mindset he carries four years later. Messiah, who was born when Thompkins was in Logan, lives here with him. Nyomi, who was born in July of 2018 — right before Thompkins began his college career — lives in Florida with her mother. He misses his daughter, but he gets to see her semi-regularly. She came to Utah to celebrate her third birthday over the summer.

“We got to spend it together,” he said. “Me, her mother and my son.”

Thompkins is grateful his son lives with him. It’s obviously difficult taking care of a two-year-old infant while being a student-athlete. But with help from others, and balance, he’s able to do it.

“When I’m at home, you know, that’s my time to be a dad,” he said. “It’s time to give my kids my time and things like that.  And then whenever I’m in school, you know, I got schoolwork, and I’m doing everything I need to do. I can kind of put school and family together, you know, take care of my kids into my classes online stuff. And then when it’s football time for me, it’s my life right here.”

“He’s the dad, he wants to be a dad, and he wants to be a good dad,” said Utah State head coach Blake Anderson. “That’s not easy to do with all he’s got going on. But he finds a way to do that.”

Thompkins gives his parents credit for showing him how to be a good father. Growing up, he watched everything his mother did and saw how hard she worked. And his father, who didn’t live with him growing up, was still very much a part of his life.

Thompkins admitted he “didn’t have the best situation growing up.” But one thing he did have was parents who loved him. That’s something he wants to pass on to his children.

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Chatting with Thompkins, you can see right away he’s more than a typical 21 year old kid. He’s kind, has a warm smile and is an articulate thinker.

“Just down to the bones, he’s a really good dude,” Anderson said. “He’s a kid that you love being around, big smile, tons of energy, and just makes everyone around him better.

In his seldom seen free-time, he’d rather have a conversation with one of his teammates about life, than sit around and play video games. He’s somebody who sees the bigger picture in the world around him.

With his love of people, it’s no surprise his major is interdisciplinary studies. It’s a combination of the study of anthropology, sociology and psychology. His favorite thing to study is the history of ancient cultures across the world.

Thompkins is “obsessed” with the ancient Egyptians. Has been since he was five years old. “Just the way that they lived their life in the way that they were connected with the earth itself and the universe, it amazes me a lot,” he said.

Thompkins appreciates how advanced their society was for their time. Technological phenomenons such as the pyramid fascinate him. He has a great appreciation for how these creations have stood the test of time, making their mark in the world.

He’s looking to make a mark of his own.

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Combining Thompkins’s love for his family and his heedfulness of the world around him, there’s no wonder he’s a man with big dreams.

His entire life, his dream has been to be “the greatest player to ever play the game of football.”

He mentioned his love of football, and watching guys such as Jerry Rice and Deon Sanders as his inspirations to become the best.

But when Nyomi was born, his priorities shifted. His number one goal became “to create a beautiful life for my children,” he said.

Much of that plan still involves being an amazing football player. Thompkins hopes to play in the NFL, and make good money doing it.

“When I do get to that point, it’ll be the foundation for what I want to do with my life,” he said. After (The NFL) I want to branch out. Hopefully start businesses and things like that…And then just give my children everything that I didn’t get to have growing up. So a big house, all the gifts, all the toys, just anything that could give them. And then all the love and attention I could possibly give them.”

Thompkins understands his aspirations are grand, and that they’ll take a lot of work. He knows reaching the NFL relies heavily on how he performs in college. That part itself hasn’t been easy.

Thompkins’ time at Utah State almost ended last season. He transferred out of the program in November, with a desire to find a school closer to his family in Florida.  “There was a lot going on in my life at that time,” he said.

He soon realized entering the portal “didn’t feel right.” With the help of Anderson, and wide receivers coach Kyle Cefalo, who said he spent “almost every day” trying to convince Thompkins to return, he finally did.

After spending spring and fall camp playing “unbelievable” according to Anderson, Thompkins will begin the 2021 season as the starting slot receiver, poised to lead the Aggie’s passing attack.

Trying to play well, with the goal of being in the NFL in mind, is tremendous pressure. But he has a routine to keep himself focused.

“Every game, I write my mom’s name, my son’s name, my daughter’s name on my wrist,” he said. “So it just reminds me during the game, like if I’m kind of messing up, I look at my wrist and I snap back into reality.”