The NFL rookie hype is building to an insane level for talented former Tennessee Vols standout
The Dont'e Thornton hype train has officially left the station this summer. Thornton, a former Tennessee Vols standout who was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is receiving as much hype as any NFL rookie this offseason. The former Vol was described this week by Raiders.com […]
The Dont'e Thornton hype train has officially left the station this summer.
Thornton, a former Tennessee Vols standout who was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is receiving as much hype as any NFL rookie this offseason.
The former Vol was described this week by Raiders.com writer Levi Edwards as "one of, if not the most impressive rookie" for the Raiders so far this summer.
"Dont'e Thornton Jr. has seen a lot of reps at outside receiver opposite of Tre Tucker and Jakobi Meyers," noted Edwards on Tuesday. "[Thornton] was a constant target for Geno Smith throughout practice, reeling in a highly contested catch in the end zone during red zone period."
Thornton, who caught 39 passes for 885 yards and seven touchdowns during his two seasons at Tennessee, has even impressed Raiders superstar edge rusher Maxx Crosby this offseason.
"Dont'e Thornton, the dude we drafted from Tennessee, the big receiver," said Crosby last month while discussing rookies that have impressed him so far. "6-foot-4, another freak, I think he might be 6-foot-5. Runs a 4.30 (in the 40-yard dash). He reminds me of (NFL wide receiver) Martavis Bryant. He even looks like him. He's tall, skinny, wears No. 10. He's got got the grills in, he's got the dreads. The way he runs, the way he catches the ball. He just reminds me of Martavis.
"It's crazy because a kid like that, he had success in college, but he hasn't hit his full potential yet. Seeing him on the field and realizing what he can be, from a player perspective, is like holy s–t, this dude could be something serious. But he's got a long way to go. And that's the beautiful part about it….a kid like that who's super humble, just young and trying to figure it out, with all the potential in the world, those are the type of guys that I try to get in their ear early and definitely try to help them out. Because everybody's path isn't the same. But a kid like him, you can see it. He really wants it. He needs a little bit of guidance. He's a stud, he's an absolute freak. You watch him on the field and you're like holy f—, he doesn't look like everybody else. So yeah, super excited about him…he's looked really good so far."
It's still very early in Thornton's pro career, and he hasn't even played an NFL preseason game yet, but the hype is already off the charts for the former Vol.
