National analyst makes big statement about Tennessee Vols transfer addition
The Tennessee Vols lost two of their top wide receivers this offseason in Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman. Hyatt and Tillman were each selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft (Hyatt by the New York Giants and Tillman by the Cleveland Browns). While it's obviously tough to lose players of Hyatt's and […]
The Tennessee Vols lost two of their top wide receivers this offseason in Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman.
Hyatt and Tillman were each selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft (Hyatt by the New York Giants and Tillman by the Cleveland Browns).
While it's obviously tough to lose players of Hyatt's and Tillman's caliber, the Vols are well equipped to replace their production.
Tennessee will lean primary on Bru McCoy, Ramel Keyton, Squirrel White, and Dont'e Thornton as their top four wide receivers in 2023.
McCoy, Keyton and White all contributed for the Vols in 2022. Thornton, however, is a new addition. The talented wide receiver transferred to Tennessee from Oregon earlier this offseason.
Thornton is a 6-foot-5/205 lb wide receiver that should help replace some of Hyatt's big-play ability.
The national media has mostly ignored the addition of Thornton to Tennessee's roster. On3's JD PicKell, however, recently spoke highly of the Vols' decision to add Thornton. PicKell thinks Thornton is one of the best kept secrets in the SEC.
“There’s one individual who I think might be the best kept secret in the SEC,” said PicKell last month. “And that’s Don’t Thornton. Transferring in from Oregon. He’s 6-3, I think he’s somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 pounds. He’s got that size and he also can fly. Everybody in Knoxville is speaking in hush tones because they’re excited what he brings to the table. They don’t want to tip off the national folks just yet about what he’s going to be.”
(Note: Tennessee's official website lists Thornton at 6-foot-5.)
That last line from PicKell is what makes the addition of Thornton so exciting for the Vols. Thornton can line up at any of the wide receiver spots. And since Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel loves to create mismatches, it makes Thornton a perfect fit in the Vols' offense.
I would bet that Tennessee has already schemed up some unique ways to use Thornton in 2023. And I'd also wager that Heupel will keep a few things in his back pocket to break out in key games against Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.
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Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC
