Hardwood To Hashes: Devan Thompkins
Julius Johnston, USC Football Communications Student Assistant
9/20/2025
Every young athlete grows up chasing the dream of playing their sport at the collegiate level and representing an organization much bigger than themselves. For many of these dual-sport athletes, the day must come when a decision must be made to choose one path and leave the other behind. Just a few years ago, redshirt junior defensive tackle Devan Thompkins, a former high school basketball standout, he made the life-changing decision to trade in the sneakers for cleats.
Thompkins, a star hooper at St. Mary’s High School in Stockton, Calif., averaged 13.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as a junior before transferring to Edison High School for his senior year.
“If I could compare myself to a player when I was playing basketball, I’d have to say I was like Naz Reid (Minnesota Timberwolves). A big guard that could do everything,” said Thompkins with a smile.
Despite a very promising junior year and getting recruited by D1 programs for hoops, Thompkins made a decision that would change his entire future.
Although he was being nationally recruited as a basketball player, Thompkins, through the influence of family members, decided to take his talents to the gridiron, something he hadn’t done since the eighth grade. The idea of pursuing football over basketball was one that had been brewing for years in the mind of his older brother, Fred.
“He's just a football guy, and he always believed that I had the potential to be a great football player,” said Thompkins. “At first, it kind of went through one ear and out the other. But my senior year, I just gave it a go.”
Not only was his decision to hit the football field supported by his older brother, Thompkins’ uncle, Larry, also became involved in the process.
“Outside of my brother, Uncle Larry was really the main one pushing me to play football,” said Thompkins. “From setting up training workouts to helping me schedule recruiting trips, he definitely played a big part in me where I am today.”
After his first game, the D1 interest was immediate, and the offers began rolling in.
“The recruiting process was a unique experience because everything happened so fast after my first game of football,” he recalled. “I never had so many people calling and texting me on a daily basis, but I was grateful to be that important to so many college football programs.”
Through the chaos of recruiting, Thompkins found his home at Troy and has never looked back. He had a breakout season in 2024 where he appeared in 13 games recording 24 tackles, including 2.5 for loss of 10 yards (with 1.5 sacks for minus 9 yards) and 3 PBUs. Through the first three games of 2025, he has notched 5 tackles, including 1.5 for loss of 6 yards (with 0.5 sack for minus 3 yards, 1 PBU and 1 QBH.
Thompkins credits some of his success on the field thus far to his background in basketball.
“The footwork aspect of the game is similar. A lot of the moves or stunts just came natural to me because of basketball, so I don't have to second guess a lot,” Thompkins said.
In addition to basketball, Thompkins acknowledges the coaching staff at USC for believing in his raw talent and pouring into him as his football career ascended so quickly.
“Coach Nua set the foundation for my development,” he said. “When Coach Henny got here, he took my game to the next level. From his NFL coaching experience to the caliber of players that he's coached, he really pushed me to take that next step. Coach Henny believed in me, and that meant a lot to me both on and off the field.”
That foundation of trust and development has shaped not only Thompkins’ growth as a player, but as a leader in the locker room. Part of that leadership comes from embracing the standard set within the program, where accountability is expected from every member – player and staff alike. This is what Thompkins believes sets this team apart.
“Everybody in the facility, from coaches to guys on the team, have been holding themselves and each other more accountable,” he said. “What the coaches preach isn’t just for us; they actually follow what they're preaching too, which means a lot because we see it. Everybody just bought in.”
A key contributor in setting this standard was the arrival of Truman Carroll, USC’s Director of Football Sports Performance.
“Coach Riley told us it was going to be different, and it definitely is,” Thompkins recalled. “Now that we've been in Coach Tru’s program for three months, it feels natural. But when he first got here, it was definitely a change.”
That same culture of accountability has also shaped how Thompkins approaches challenges on the field. Whether it’s refining techniques or listening to coaches, he’s embraced what being a leader means regarding accountability.
“I’ve come a long way since I was a freshman, and I never thought I’d be in the position I am today,” he said. “It means a lot to me to be called a leader by my teammates and coaches, so I’m working every day to embrace that leadership role.”
From hardly stepping on a football field in high school, to starting for one of the most historic programs in college football history, Thompkins’ story is a testament of hard work, dedication and accountability.
