Following a visit, this past weekend to Knoxville, wide receiver transfer Dont’e Thornton announced he would be transferring to Tennessee. Thornton was one of the top players in the transfer portal and looked to join the Volunteers’ potent offense.
Under Josh Heupel, Tennessee has been picky in the portal. They have only pushed for instant-impact players outside of Andre Turrentine. The staff expects nothing less from Thornton. Thornton is expected to play inside and on the perimeter, making him a versatile weapon. He will join Bru McCoy, Ramel Keyton, and Squirrel White as the primary receivers for the Vols.
Coming out of high school, Thornton was a highly regarded recruit that ultimately chose Oregon. He played two seasons for the Ducks and was primarily used as a deep threat at 6’5 with a 4.4s 40 time. That makes him an effective option to target down the field, as he averaged 21.5 yards per catch. Thornton scored 17 receptions for 366 yards and a touchdown as a sophomore this past season. He could be a real breakout candidate in Knoxville.
If this story sounds familiar to Vols fans, it’s because it is. During Heupel’s first offseason at Tennessee, he brought in transfer receiver JaVonta Payton. Payton recorded 19 receptions for 225 yards and a touchdown in his second year at Mississippi State. In his lone season at Tennessee, Payton became a downfield specialist that kickstarted the offense in most games. He ended the season with 413 yards and six touchdowns.
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Another example is Jalin Hyatt in year two under Heupel. During his sophomore season, Hyatt had 21 receptions for 226 yards and two touchdowns as a rotational receiver. This past season, he got his opportunity to shine when he won the Biletnikoff Award for the best wideout in college football. Hyatt put up 67 receptions for 1267 yards and 15 touchdowns.
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In his two years of remaining eligibility, Dont’e Thornton most likely figures to finish somewhere between Payton and Hyatt’s production. Thornton is a big-bodied receiver that fits perfectly into a Tennessee offense that loves to use screens and deep shots. There’s a lot for Vols fans to like with this pickup and should expect the wideout to make a significant impact at Tennessee.
