Dont’e Thornton was just starting to the corner in his first season in Knoxville during mid November. He had failed to make much headway in the slot but after being moved outside, Thornton caught three passes for 63 yards in a win over Kentucky.
Two weeks later, he made his best play all season, hauling in a 46 yard touchdown at Missouri. It was his last play all season as he suffered a season-ending leg injury.
“Once we got him outside, he looked a little bit more natural,” Tennessee receivers coach Kelsey Pope said on Wednesday. “It’s unfortunate that he dealt with that injury right after that transition.”
But Thornton is back and active during spring practice as he enters his senior season. After the unsuccessful experiment in the slot, the 6-foot-5 speedster is working exclusively outside and is finding his rhythm at the spot.
“He’s picked up right where he left off. He’s been consistent this spring,” Pope said. “He’s been playing fast. We are trying to make sure we watch his player load and his volume to make sure we keep him healthy. He’s competed at a high level. He’s had really good energy this spring.”
The injury was frustrating for Thornton, especially as he was finding his rhythm, but he also used it as a positive to better understand the playbook from the wide receiver spot and has hit the ground running this spring.
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“I am feeling very confident now that I have a year under my belt with the offense,” Thornton said on Wednesday. “I feel like everything is a lot easier for me. Now I can play faster, and not have to think too much while I am playing. With things going a little bit better towards the end of last season, then with me going down, that’s nothing I can control.”
Thornton isn’t guaranteed a starting job this season, though he is a lead candidate. Bru McCoy is back and Tennessee added Tulane transfer receiver Chris Brazzell to its roster this offseason. But Thornton has a high ceiling and his experience last year in the Vols’ experience could prove critical.
But despite not being a sure fire starter, Thornton has been a leader in Tennessee’s receiver room that includes two talented true freshman this spring.
“He’s done a great job of leading us as well. He’s vocal in that room,” Pope said. “A lot of guys look to him for answers and advice. He’s done an awesome job of being able to be that leader for us, one of those leaders for us so far.”
“I know how hard it was for me with my transition, so I tried to lean on a bunch of older guys to get help. I just try to give back to all the younger guys,” Thornton said “If I see a younger guy mess up on a route, I am going to be the first person to run to them before coach (Kelsey Pope) can even get to them. I try my best to help those young guys out and make it a little easier for them.”
Tennessee is looking for a true No. 1 receiver next season. Thornton being that guy would go a long way for the 2024 Vols.
