Deron Thompson Season 2012

Deron Thompson[apos]s work-ethic and team-first approach did not go unnoticed during preseason camp in 2013. His efforts resulted in an opportunity to play in every game as a key member of the special teams. The Nittany Lions have several talented and experienced running backs returning and Thompson will continue to work hard to try and earn time in the backfield rotation, in addition to his efforts on the special teams. The former Warwick High School standout made seven tackles (four solo) last season. The talented and quick player made a season-high two hits in the four-overtime win over No. 18 Michigan. Thompson is an active member of the Penn State Uplifting Athletes chapter, which organizes the Penn State Lift For Life each July to help raise awareness and funds in the fight against kidney cancer. Thompson is one of the squad[apos]s top students with a 3.56 cumulative grade-point average entering the summer. An energy, business and finance major, he earned Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2013 for the second consecutive year. He was on schedule to graduate in August. Thompson is among 17 returning Nittany Lions from Central Pennsylvania.

2013 Junior Season
Thompson played in all 12 games as a key member of the special teams coverage units. He made seven tackles (four solo), all of which came on kick coverage. Thompson had a season-high two hits in the four-overtime win over No. 18 Michigan. He also made solo stops in the wins over Eastern Michigan, Illinois and Purdue. Thompson earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the second time.

2012 Sophomore Season
Thompson saw action in six games as a member of the punt return team. He was among the program-record 28 Nittany Lions named to the Academic All-Big Ten team following the season.

2011 Freshman Season
Redshirt season.

High School
Thompson made the most of his senior season at Warwick High School. In 2010, he gained 2,135 rushing yards (6.5 yards per carry) and scored 26 touchdowns. He became just the second Lancaster-Lebanon League player to record more than 2,000 rushing yards in regular-season play and the fifth league player to reach that total all-time. Thompson garnered Outstanding Back-of-the-Year honors in Section One, as selected by league coaches. He also was named the 2010 Lancaster-Lebanon League Player-of-the-Year.

Personal
Full name is Deron Wesley Thompson. He is the son of Craig and Lynne Thompson, and has a brother, David, and sister, Dana, all of whom are Penn State graduates. He has a pair of uncles who also are Penn State graduates. His father played football for two years at Bucknell as a tight end and played semi-pro football. A grandfather, Arthur Thompson Jr., also played semi-pro football. An uncle, Arthur Thompson, played lacrosse at Penn State in the late 1970s and early 80s, and an aunt, Linda Hire, played basketball at Kutztown. Thompson enjoys swimming, fishing, ping-pong and golf. He is enrolled in energy business and finance. Born June 25, 1992 in Lancaster, Pa.