Pittsburgh Steelers assistant coach spotted visiting with big-time NFL Draft sleeper prospect
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni was spotted in Knoxville on Tuesday talking with a big-time NFL Draft sleeper prospect Azzanni attended the Tennessee Vols' pro day in Knoxville on Tuesday (Azzanni served as the wide receivers coach at Tennessee from 2013 to 2016). The second-year Steelers assistant coach was seen chatting with Tennessee […]
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni was spotted in Knoxville on Tuesday talking with a big-time NFL Draft sleeper prospect
Azzanni attended the Tennessee Vols' pro day in Knoxville on Tuesday (Azzanni served as the wide receivers coach at Tennessee from 2013 to 2016). The second-year Steelers assistant coach was seen chatting with Tennessee wide receiver Dont'e Thornton at one point.
Thornton, who is from Baltimore, started his college career at Oregon before transferring to Tennessee ahead of the 2023 season.
The Maryland native was the Vols' top receiver in 2024, catching 26 passes for 661 yards and six touchdowns (Tennessee reached the 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024).
Thornton, who ran a 4.30 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL scouting combine a couple of weeks ago), is a player who can stretch the field vertically — something he did consistently during his time at Tennessee.
Thornton is 6-foot-5, he has elite speed, and he's extremely athletic. There's plenty there for NFL teams to like — especially if he falls to the later rounds of the draft. Additionally, Thornton says that he feels like he has a lot to prove at the next level.
“I definitely say that,” said Thornton when asked if he feels disrespected. “I definitely use that as a chip on my shoulder because that tells me there’s always something I can get better at…I feel like I put in a lot of work to be where I’m at with the ability that I have. At some point in time, people are going to really realize it.”
It's easy to see why Azzanni took a moment to chat with Thornton.
If Thornton is available in the middle to late rounds of the draft, he could be a name to watch for Steelers fans considering Pittsburgh's need for some depth at the wide receiver position.
Former Tennessee Vols WR Jalin Hyatt is officially in a bad situation with the New York Giants
Not good for the former Vol
