AGTG pic.twitter.com/YsTBw4nZ3i
— Ronald (RT)Thompkins ll (@jrthompkins5) May 19, 2021
Meanwhile, touted USC transfer Markese Stepp arrived on campus this past winter with a pre-existing injury that required left foot surgery and cost him most of spring. He’s expected to return in time for preseason camp, which is set to begin in late July.
Thompkins carried four times for 32 yards May 1 in the Red-White Spring Game. That turned out to be his last time in a Husker uniform.
In high school, he was regarded as a three-star prospect by 247Sports and the No. 5 all-purpose back in the country. He had offers from numerous schools, including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Florida State, Oregon, Penn State and USC.
“He’s a slasher. He’s got the ability to make cuts,” NU running backs coach Ryan Held said last October before the 2020 season. “He’s got tremendous hands, can really catch the ball out of the backfield. He’s one of the better guys on our team catching the football.”
Thompkins, though, will take those talents elsewhere.
Photos: Our favorite staff images from the 2020 Nebraska football season
Illinois’ Alec McEachern (46) and Nebraska’s Niko Cooper (32) reach for a fumble on a kickoff return in the second quarter Nov. 21 at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) throws an interception under pressure from Illinois’ Khalan Tolson (45) in the first quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska safety Marquel Dismuke (9) and Cam Taylor-Britt (5) walk off the field after the Huskers’ 41-23 loss to Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey gets his helmet twisted around by Illinois’ Roderick Perry (96) in the second half Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is lifted up by teammate Bryce Benhart after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers onto the field to take on Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska cornerback Dicaprio Bootle (7) celebrates his second-quarter interception with teammate Cam Taylor-Britt against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa’s Terry Roberts (22) dives on a fumbled punt return by Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (5) in the fourth quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras gets off a third-quarter pass as Nebraska’s Garrett Nelson (44) and Luke Reimer (28) pressure him Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska’s Wan’Dale Robinson rushes against Iowa’s Jack Campbell (31) in the second half Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez reaches for the high snap in the first quarter against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out to the field against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez throws under pressure from Iowa’s Joe Evans (13) in the second quarter Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez and the Husker offensive line push toward the goal line on Martinez’s 1-yard touchdown run against Iowa on Nov. 27, 2020, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with his players during a first-half timeout against Iowa last November at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) gets pressured by Nebraska’s Ben Stille on a fourth-down play, throwing an incomplete pass to turn it over to the Huskers in the final moments of the game Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Luke McCaffrey (7) and Wan’Dale Robinson (1) celebrate after the Huskers’ win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford. Williams recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford before recovering the fumble and returning it for a touchdown in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (right) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (left) to give the Huskers the ball on downs in the fourth quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Ben Stille (95) and Ty Robinson walk off the field after the Huskers’ 30-23 win over Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska kicker Connor Culp sends a ball through the uprights for a fourth-quarter field goal against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Will Honas (3) tackles Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth (87) in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost instructs the team during a timeout on Nov. 14, 2020, against Penn State at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska quarterback Luke McCaffrey (7) gets the snap from center Cameron Jurgens (51) as running back Ronald Thompkins (25) and Ethan Piper look to block against Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (5) runs back a punt as he avoids the tackle of Penn State’s Daequan Hardy in the first half Nov. 14 at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska safety Deontai Williams (8) strips the ball from Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford in the second quarter Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium. Williams recovered the fumble and scored.
Nebraska’s Noa Pola-Gates (facing) hugs senior Marquel Dismuke (9) after the Huskers’ 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska senior Dicaprio Bootle (7) hugs fellow senior Marquel Dismuke (left) as JoJo Domann looks on after the Huskers’ 24-17 loss to Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
A third-quarter pass from Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) is batted by Minnesota’s Rashad Cheney on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Protected by the offensive line, Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) has the time to throw in the second quarter against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Husker fan cutouts fill the North Stadium stands before the team takes on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost leads the Huskers out onto a nearly empty stadium before taking on Penn State on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Cam Taylor-Britt (left) defends a pass intended for Penn State’s Jahan Dotson in the fourth quarter on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Collin Miller (31) celebrates after Ben Stille (95) tackled Penn State quarterback Will Levis (7) on Nov. 14, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska fan cutouts are a backdrop for the consecutive sellout sign on Saturday at Memorial Stadium during a Nov. 14, 2020, game against Penn State.
Nebraska safety Myles Farmer (left) is flagged for a facemask call against Illinois’ Donny Navarro (86) in the third quarter Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
A worker waits to release balloons after the first Nebraska touchdown against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost talks with junior quarterback Adrian Martinez (2) on the sideline in the third quarter against Illinois on Nov. 21, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
A security guard watches the field among snow-covered cardboard cutouts before a Nebraska-Minnesota football game on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska family members look for their seats before the Huskers host Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska tight end Austin Allen (second right) celebrates his second-quarter TD with teammates against Minnesota on Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska’s Austin Allen celebrates his touchdown catch with Brenden Jaimes and Ethan Piper against Minnesota on Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska coach Scott Frost sends quarterback Adrian Martinez back into the game against Minnesota in the second quarter Dec. 12 at Memorial Stadium.
Nebraska head coach Scott Frost greets Huskers captain Matt Farniok (71) during Senior Day festivities before the Minnesota game Dec. 12, 2020, at Memorial Stadium.
The Nebraska football team is planning to open its April 17 practice to 4,000 fans.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login