Oregon transfer receiver Dont’e Thornton announced he is transferring to Tennessee Monday afternoon.
GO VOLS!!!!! @Vol_Football pic.twitter.com/3pEszxdiYo
— BigMacc🥷🏿 (@IamDTJ11) January 9, 2023
Thornton announces his commitment to Tennessee shortly after his official visit to Knoxville. The Vols targeted the speedy receiver immediately after he entered the transfer portal last month and their persistence led to a quick commitment following his visit.
The Baltimore native comes to Tennessee after his sophomore season and still has two years of eligibility. Thornton saw a leap in production from his freshman to sophomore seasons. The 6-foot-5 pass catcher totaled 175 yards and two touchdowns as a freshman before catching 17 passes for 366 yards and a touchdown a season ago.
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Thornton’s best collegiate game came late in the season in Oregon’s tight win against Pac 12 Champions Utah. The sophomore caught four passes for 151 yards in the win.
The talented transfer has a chance to earn immediate playing time with Tennessee losing both Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt to the NFL Draft. The tall receiver can play in the slot but is more likely to play out wide at Tennessee with slot receiver Squirrel White flashing in his freshman season.
On top of losing two star receivers, Tennessee has lost an abundance of receiver depth this offseason. Back ups Walker Merrill, Jimmy Holliday and Jimmy Calloway have all entered the transfer portal since the conclusion of the regular season.
Thornton is the fifth transfer Tennessee has added to its roster ahead of the 2023 season, joining Indiana kicker Charles Campbell, UC Davis tight end McCallen Castles, Texas offensive lineman Andrej Karic and BYU linebacker Keenan Pili.
