2020 (Redshirt Freshman)
Ronald Thompkins played in two games as a redshirt freshman, finishing with five carries for 24 yards and one catch for 10 yards. He made his return from two serious high school injuries by carrying the ball four times for 22 yards in his Husker debut at No. 5 Ohio State and adding a 10-yard reception. He added one carry for two yards in the win over Penn State.

2019 (Redshirt)
Thompkins was slowed while recovering from an injury suffered in high school, and he redshirted in his first season at Nebraska.

Before Nebraska (Grayson HS)
Thompkins joined the Huskers from Grayson High School, where he was regarded as one of the nation’s top running back prospects. Thompkins had five carries for 51 yards in the first half of Grayson’s 2018 season opener before he suffered a season-ending injury. Injuries also slowed Thompkins’ junior season, when he averaged 6.6 yards per carry while running for 414 yards and four touchdowns despite only playing in six games. Thompkins also caught nine passes for 201 yards as a junior. 

Prior to the 2018 season, Grayson recruiting coordinator Kenyatta Watson Sr. called Thompkins the best player on the Grayson team, effusive praise considering the Rams boasted two of the top 15 players in the 2019 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

Thompkins 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, and he also visited LSU, Minnesota and Tennessee.

Personal
Ronald was born on Aug. 26, 2000. He is a sports media and communication major. Thompkins has volunteered his time with a Day of Service, the Nebraska Football Road Race and local hospital visits.