National media outlet makes bold prediction for Vols WR Dont'e Thornton
On3's Jesse Simonton apparently believes Tennessee Vols wide receiver Dont'e Thornton, an Oregon transfer who joined the program earlier this year, is the real deal. Simonton made several bold predictions for the 2023 college football season and one of his predictions is that Thornton will lead the SEC in touchdown receptions. From On3: The Oregon […]
On3's Jesse Simonton apparently believes Tennessee Vols wide receiver Dont'e Thornton, an Oregon transfer who joined the program earlier this year, is the real deal.
Simonton made several bold predictions for the 2023 college football season and one of his predictions is that Thornton will lead the SEC in touchdown receptions.
From On3: The Oregon transfer caught a single touchdown in 2022, but the 6-5, 205-pound burner is primed for a breakout season running go routes out wide in Josh Heupel’s offense.
Thornton has created lots of buzz in the fall for the Vols, and while I don’t think he’ll match Jalin Hyatt’s numbers from last season (67 catches for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns) — he will become the second-straight Tennessee receiver to lead the league in scores.
Vols wide receiver Jalin Hyatt led the SEC in receiving yards and touchdowns last season, so this is certainly a reasonable prediction.
The only thing that might get in Thornton's way is that Tennessee has three stellar receiving options in the passing game (Bru McCoy, Squirrel White, and Ramel Keyton). Plus a couple of tight ends that could make some noise (such as true freshman Ethan Davis, redshirt senior Jacob Warren, and transfer addition McCallan Castles). It could be tough for Thornton to rack up as many touchdowns as Hyatt last season.
But even with a loaded wide receiver group, Thornton should still prove to be a dangerous option in the passing game for Tennessee this fall.
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Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
