North Charlotte Today

Deven Thompkins is making waves with the Carolina Panthers through his dynamic energy and speed. Known for his unyielding movement, Thompkins' presence is felt both on and off the field. Fellow return man Raheem Blackshear describes him as "a little jitterbug," while offensive coordinator Brad Idzik notes that even at half-speed, Thompkins outpaces many.

Thompkins, who joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers, has taken lessons from seasoned players like Tom Brady and Chris Godwin to heart. His approach to practice is relentless. "There was a lot of greats that I got the opportunity to play with," Thompkins said.

His transition from Tampa Bay to Charlotte came alongside Dave Canales and staff, who valued not only his versatility but also his spirit. Canales remarked on Thompkins' infectious enthusiasm: "He's on the field running around...it's infectious."

Recently, Thompkins has seen more playing time due to injuries among teammates, showcasing his speed in various roles including receiver and returner. Against the Eagles, he ran an average of 29.83 yards per play according to Next Gen Stats.

Teammates praise his speed; Xavier Legette noted, "His speed is different." Idzik added that working with Thompkins brings a new dimension to their offense.

Despite being used sparingly in receiving so far, with four receptions for 20 yards, he's poised for more opportunities following Raheem Blackshear's injury against Philadelphia.

Bryce Young summarized Thompkins' impact succinctly: "Just a huge spark for us...brings great juice for us."