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Penn State football: DeAndre Thompkins standing out at Eagles camp

By Justin Grasso

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the football ahead of linebacker Camilo Eifler #40 of the Washington Huskies during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 30: Wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the football ahead of linebacker Camilo Eifler #40 of the Washington Huskies during the second half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Former Penn State football wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins has been quite impressive at training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles.

This past spring, former Penn State football wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins emerged as a minicamp standout. Although he joined the team as an undrafted free agent, Thompkins made a name for himself as he built up a solid connection with Eagles’ starting quarterback, Carson Wentz.

That was just phase one, though. Last week, Thompkins and the rest of the Eagles returned to Philadelphia to check-in for the 2019 NFL training camp sessions. Now, the competition is really turned up. While Thompkins is basically viewed as a longshot to make the final 53-man roster, he has more than one way to make it onto the team.

At Penn State, Thompkins was a solid returner. After four seasons with the Lions, Thompkins racked up 675 yards, and two touchdowns on 66 punt returns. While the Eagles have a future legendary punt returner in Darren Sproles back into the mix, Thompkins could remain in Philly by way of the practice squad this season and learn from one of the NFL’s best.

However, Eagles head coach Doug Pederson is far from ready to throw Thompkins into the practice squad conversation right now. Once again, Thompkins is standing out to the coaching staff. He was already on their radar from his production in the spring, but now he’s got all eyes on him this summer, and so far he’s been impressive.

The word from Eagles camp:

When asked who has had the best rookie performances this summer, Eagles’ head coach Doug Pederson mentioned two players. One happened to be former Rutgers defensive tackle, Kevin Wilkins. The other was Penn State’s, DeAndre Thompkins. Surprisingly enough, Thompkins has stood out over some of his former teammates.

Next. CFB writer predicts Penn State football’s playoff chances. dark

As we know, both Miles Sanders and Shareef Miller were drafted this year by Philly. But apparently, Thompkins is not only the Nittany Lion who has stood out the most to the head coach — but he’s one of two rookies who’s doing a great job so far. While the aforementioned Lions are locks to make the Eagles’ final roster, Thompkins has a lot more impressing to do. At least he’s on the right path so far though.

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