Tablet: Talk about your journey to the First Academy from where you’ve come from; youth sports to a premiere running back at an Orlando football powerhouse.
Thompkins: I started playing football when I was 6 years old for the Clermont Knights. My dad was my coach until my freshman year in high school when I started playing for Coach Banks at Minneola High School. I never thought I would be looking to change programs right before my senior year, but after looking into several programs TFA felt right. Not only do I get to continue to play with my O line, but I get to be part of a build that the coaches and team are excited about.
Tablet: You come from a very athletic family. Do you feel like that helped you physically to become the football player and athlete you are today?
Thompkins: I think the fact that they have never allowed me to win just because I am the youngest has contributed to me being the competitor I am today. I grew up running around the pool deck, football field, baseball field and track field watching my siblings compete, I remember wanting to be a part of it all.
Tablet: To build off that, tell us a bit about your support system with your parents, siblings, coaches and other people that get you ready to play Friday nights; how do they help you get through a game week?
Thompkins: All I can say is I am blessed; I know when I look up in the stands my family is there. I am the youngest of 5 children, my brother-in-law drives with my sister and 2 nephews almost 2 hours every week to see me play. That’s something I know is special and shouldn’t be taken for granted. My brother Jalen owns (I have to give a shout out) LT Performance, he trains me and helps make sure my body is feeling right. My coaches watch film with me throughout the week in order to help me learn our gameplan, so I know what our goal is before the game starts.
Tablet: Already a trip to Tennessee (vs. Lipscomb High) for the season opener. How was that experience for you and your guys?
Thompkins: It was an amazing experience; the entire trip was like a college road game. Lipscomb is a good football team and an amazing environment to play in, we had a lot of fans travel to the game. It was truly something I will never forget.
Tablet: Close to 1,900 rushing yards last year (Lake Minneola). What have you done this summer to build off that?
Thompkins: Continued to work hard in the weight room, developing my speed and agility. I traveled with my teammates and played in several 7 vs 7 tournaments, and we were very successful. This also allowed me to become a more versatile running back.
Tablet: Talk about your experience with some of your younger teammates at TFA. How have you maybe helped each other since you had a lot more experience, but you were an addition to the Royals this year.
Thompkins: I just try to lead by example and to help show them things that have helped me over the past couple years.
Tablet: What does the future hold for Dane Thompkins?
Thompkins: God willing, I get to continue to play the sport I love, beyond that I would like to have a career that allows me to continue to work with athletes; what that looks like exactly, I’m not sure. I am thinking of Sports Medicine or Coaching.
