UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State football program saw five alums sign undrafted free agent contracts and one earn a rookie mini-camp invitation after having six players selected in the 2019 NFL Draft. The Nittany Lions have 12 players from the 2018 team with NFL opportunities.
The undrafted free agent signees include offensive lineman Ryan Bates (Warrington, Pa.) and wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins (Swansboro, N.C.) inked deals with the Philadelphia Eagles, while linebacker Koa Farmer (Lake View Terrace, Calif.) joined the Oakland Raiders. Additionally, defensive tackle Kevin Givens (Altoona, Pa.) signed with the San Francisco 49ers and long snapper Kyle Vasey (Lackawaxen, Pa.) signed with the Atlanta Falcons. In addition, running back Johnathan Thomas (Peabody, Mass.) was invited to the Cincinnati Bengals rookie mini-camp.
The six Penn Staters to hear their name called during the 2019 NFL Draft were: running back Miles Sanders (Pittsburgh, Pa.), who was the No. 53 overall selection by the Philadelphia Eagles, offensive lineman Connor McGovern (Larksville, Pa.), who was the 90th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys, defensive end Shareef Miller (Philadelphia, Pa.), who was chosen in the fourth round by the Philadelphia Eagles, cornerback Amani Oruwariye (Tampa, Fla.), who was picked in the fifth round by the Detroit Lions, quarterback Trace McSorley (Ashburn, Va.), who was selected in the sixth round by the Baltimore Ravens and safety Nick Scott (Fairfax, Va.), who was seventh-round pick for the Los Angeles Rams.
Ryan Bates, OL, 6-4, 302, Warrington, Pa./Archbishop Wood
"We couldn't be happier for Ryan to have an opportunity with Philadelphia," Penn State Head Coach James Franklin said. "He was a leader for us on the offensive line and we know he will provide that same kind of leadership with the Eagles. He played multiple positions for us along the offensive line and that flexibility will be very valuable in NFL. He showed at the NFL Combine he possesses great speed and athleticism, which will help him excel at the next level. We are also proud of Ryan for graduating with his degree in labor and employment relations in just three and a half years."
"Ryan has been a tremendously versatile player during his career here at Penn State," offensive line coach Matt Limegrover said. "Ryan's athletic ability, toughness and football IQ allowed him to not only compete, but excel, at whatever role was asked of him over the past three seasons as a starter here at Penn State. The combination of Ryan's productivity and leadership on and off the field has provided him a strong foundation of skills and qualities that will benefit the Eagles."
Ryan Bates Bio
- Was a three-year starter for the Nittany Lions.
- Was a two-time All-Big Ten third team honoree, claiming accolades in 2017 and 2018.
- Voted a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America and USA Today in 2016.
- Named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team by ESPN.com and BTN.com.
- Was a two-time Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week choice in his career.
- Graduated in December with his degree in labor and employment relations.
- Helped the Nittany Lions break the program record for total offense (6,056), points (526; tied with 1994 team), passing yards (3,650) and passing touchdowns (29) in 2016.
- Penn State finished fifth in FBS in passing yards per completion (16.15), 14th in team passing efficiency (156.6), 36th in passing offense (260.7) and 49th in total offense (432.6) in 2016.
- Penn State offense finished seventh in scoring offense (41.1), 14th in team passing efficiency (153.59), 19th in total offense (460.3) and 23rd in passing offense (290.2) in 2017.
- Saquon Barkley was honored as the Paul Hornung Award winner for the most versatile player in college football, became Penn State's 100th first-team All-American and finished fourth in Heisman Trophy voting.
- Penn State ranks 16th in red zone offense (.923), 29th in rushing offense (208.6) and 29th in scoring offense (34.6) in 2018.
- Trace McSorley became Penn State's all-time passing leader, finishing his career with 9,899 yards and 77 touchdowns.
Koa Farmer, LB, 6-1, 230, Lake View Terrace, Calif./Notre Dame
"This is an outstanding opportunity for Koa," Penn State Head Coach James Franklin said. "He is a team-first guy, who moved from safety to linebacker during his career. Koa played a lot of football for us in his career and continued to put the work in each day. He also made the most of his time in the classroom at Penn State, earning two degrees in criminology and sociology, and doing a forensics internship in Washington D.C. for two summers."
"Koa is a very mature player," defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brent Pry said. "He played multiple positions for us here at Penn State. He has a hybrid-type skill set that lends well to linebacker, safety and special teams."
Koa Farmer Bio
- Was seventh on the team with 53 tackles.
- Won the Ridge Riley Memorial Award, for sportsmanship, scholarship, leadership and friendship at the team's awards banquet.
- Among the candidates on the preseason watch list for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's top linebacker.
- Was one of 10 Penn Staters to enter 2018 having already earned a degree, completing degrees in criminology and sociology in December 2017.
- Recorded six tackles, four solo, against Appalachian State (9/1).
- Made three stops, including one solo tackle, at Illinois (9/21).
- Matched a career high with eight tackles and assisted on a tackle for loss against Ohio State (9/29).
- Tallied six stops, including four solo, and added a pass breakup against Michigan State (10/13).
- Posted seven tackles, including four solo, at Indiana (10/20).
- Collected five tackles and forced a fumble for the second time in his career versus Iowa (10/27)
- Registered four solo tackles at Michigan (11/3).
- Tied a career high with eight tackles and broke up a pass at Rutgers (11/17).
Kevin Givens, DT, 6-1, 285, Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area
"We are so happy for Kevin sign with San Francisco," Penn State Head Coach James Franklin said. "Kevin showed he was very versatile on the defensive line, moving between end and tackle, during his time at Penn State. He is extremely athletic and has tremendous quickness for his size, which will serve him very well on the next level. Kevin is extremely strong at the point of attack, possessing quick hands and ability to close quickly on ball carriers."
"Kevin is a great athlete with tremendous balance and power," associate head coach and defensive line coach Sean Spencer said. "He has great understanding of leverage! His short-area quickness and suddenness will make him a versatile player at the next level."
Kevin Givens Bio
- Finished the season with 33 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks, in 2018.
- Had one pass breakup and four quarterback hurries.
- Earned the Jim O'Hora Award in 2018 for the defensive player with exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude and improvement during spring practice.
- Saw time at both defensive tackle and defensive end as a sophomore.
- Finished with 23 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 2017.
- Named Campus Insiders Freshman All-America second team, as well as BTN.com and ESPN.com All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors.
- Was third in the Big Ten and tied for 30th nationally with two fumble recoveries in 2016.
- Had 26 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks as a redshirt freshman.
Johnathan Thomas, RB, 5-11, 218, Peabody, Mass./St. John's Prep
"It's so great to see Johnathan have this chance to continue his playing career with the Cincinnati Bengals," Penn State Head Coach James Franklin said. "He played a major role for us on special teams during his career and always took a team-first approach. He also did well in the classroom and earned his degree in sociology last August."
"Johnathan Thomas is the embodiment of a Penn State football player," running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider said. "JT took advantage of every opportunity he was given and overcame adversity to become an everyday contributor that made this program better through his toughness and physical nature. He is as selfless and as good of a teammate as I have ever seen."
Johnathan Thomas Bio
- Was a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection.
- Won the Iron Lion Award, presented by the strength and conditioning staff, and shared the Bob Mitinger Memorial Award with Nick Scott for being the ultimate teammate as a squad member who exhibits courage, character and social responsibility, at the team's awards banquet, as a senior.
- One of 22 players to have earned their degree entering the 2019 Citrus Bowl.
- Has two degrees, graduating with his degree in sociology in December 2017 and a second degree in criminology in May 2018.
- Rushed for a career-high 84 yards on three carries and scored on a 15-yard run in the fourth quarter against Kent State (9/15/18).
- Returned a kickoff for 94 yards in the third quarter, the longest kick return of his career at Indiana (10/20/18).
- Named the 2018 Coaches Special Team Award winner for the specialist who demonstrated loyalty, interest, attitude and improvement in spring practice.
DeAndre Thompkins, WR, 5-11, 188, Hubert, N.C./Swansboro
"We are so happy that DeAndre has this opportunity with the Philadelphia Eagles," Penn State Head Coach James Franklin said. "He has great potential and will work hard to continue his football playing career at the next level. DeAndre showed on Pro Day he has NFL-caliber speed and quickness. We are so proud of him to have graduated with two Penn State degree in criminology and psychology."
"DeAndre is a supremely physically gifted wide receiver and possesses all the tools to thrive in the NFL," offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Ricky Rahne. "I'm excited to watch him continue to develop his skill set against the best in the world."
DeAndre Thompkins Bio
- Finished tied for fourth all-time at Penn State with two career punt return touchdowns, matching 10 other Nittany Lions (most recently: Larry Johnson, 1998-2002).
- Became 31st Nittany Lion with more than 1,000 career receiving yards.
- Finished his career ranked 21st in at PSU in career receiving yards (1,245).
- Set a school record for punt return average in a game with 31.8 yard per return vs. Akron (9/2/17), besting Derrick Williams' mark of 31.7 vs. Temple (2006).
- Earned the Quarterback Club Award, as a player who deserves special recognition, at the team's awards banquet in 2018.
- Selected to the Pro Football Focus Big Ten Team of the Week following the Kent State (9/15/18) game.
- Finished No. 3 in the conference and ranks No. 24 in the nation with a 9.8 punt return average in 2018.
- Returned a punt 39 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, his second career punt return touchdown, at Pittsburgh (9/8/18).
- Caught four passes for 101 yards, including a 40-yard touchdown pass, for his second career 100-yard game against Kent State (9/15/18).
- Caught four passes for 74 yards, including a 23-yard catch in the first quarter and a 24-yard grab in the fourth quarter, in the 2019 Citrus Bowl against Kentucky (1/1/19).
- Earned second-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and third-team accolades from the media voters as a return specialist in 2017
- Garnered first-team All-Big Ten honors as a punt returner from Phil Steele as a junior.
- Became the first Penn Stater to return a punt for a touchdown since Derrick Williams at Wisconsin in 2008.
- Was the first punt return touchdown by a Nittany Lion at Beaver Stadium since Williams did so vs. Notre Dame in 2007.
Kyle Vasey, SN, 6-2, 231, Lackawaxen, Pa./Wallenpaupack
"We are so excited for Kyle to have this opportunity," Penn State Head Coach James Franklin said. "Kyle brought a positive attitude day in and day out to our locker room. He worked hard at perfecting his craft and put himself in a position to be a leader on special teams as a senior. He was also a leader in the classroom, graduating with his degree in rehabilitation and human services in December."
Kyle Vasey Bio
- Started all 13 games as the long snapper.
- Won the John Bruno Memorial Award, as an outstanding member of the special teams, at the team's awards banquet.
- Graduated with a degree in rehabilitation & human services.
- Helped junior punter Blake Gillikin break the Penn State season punting average record with a 44.0-yard punting average in 2018, topping the mark of 43.6 set by Ralph Giacomarro in 1981.
- Gillikin has took over the No. 1 slot on Penn State's career punting average list with a 43.3 average. Jeremy Boone (2007-09) previously held the record with a 43.1 average.
- Gillikin had three punts of 70 or more yards in 2018.
- Freshman kicker Jake Pinegar went 16-for-24 on field goals and 53-of-55 on extra points.
- Pinegar finished 2018 with 101 points (16 FG, 53 XP), which is 14th on the program's season list.
- Pinegar had 53 extra points made in 2018, which ranks sixth on Penn State's single-season list.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and reserving new season tickets for the 2019 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. or visit the Bryce Jordan Center ticket office weekdays from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Nearly 3,800 new season tickets have already been sold for the 2019 campaign.