National media outlet calls Vols transfer addition a 'sleeper' for 2023 season
One of the Tennessee Vols’ big offseason transfer additions was named a “sleeper” for the 2023 season
The Tennessee Vols haven't gone crazy in the NCAA transfer portal so far this offseason.
Tennessee added eight players from the portal before it closed in January.
None of the players the Vols added felt unnecessary. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and his staff targeted players at positions of need, instead of pursuing every single talented player that hit the portal.
Heupel's approach ensured that Tennessee was targeting players that fit the Vols' culture. It also showed Tennessee's current players that the coaching staff has a lot of confidence in them.
One of Tennessee's transfer additions was named this week as a sleeper who could outperform his ranking.
Wide receiver Dont'e Thornton, who transferred to UT from Oregon earlier this year, was named by 247Sports this week as a sleeper prospect for the 2023 season.
From 247Sports: Thornton could be in for huge things at Tennessee. The Volunteers just produced a Biletnikoff Award winner out of the slot in Jalin Hyatt. Thornton projects as his direct replacement. With Squirrel White returning at the same position, Tennessee will probably use more four-wide receiver sets, which means Thornton is free to make plays against likely one-on-one coverage. That should benefit a 6-foot-5 receiver with legitimate track speed. He is the ideal target to catch deep bombs from strong-armed signal caller Joe Milton.
I'm legitimately surprised that Thornton isn't getting more hype — especially after seeing what guys like Velus Jones Jr, Cedric Tillman, and Jalin Hyatt did in Tennessee's offense under Heupel.
Thornton has ideal size (6-foot-5), he's fast, and he can make guys miss in the open field. The Maryland native is also capable of lining up any of the wide receiver positions, which will give the Vols a lot of options when it comes to creating mismatches (something UT's offensive coaches excel at doing).
The Vols are in a good spot at the wide receiver position. Between Thornton, Bru McCoy, Squirrel White, and Ramel Keyton, Tennessee's wide receivers are poised to be a nightmare for opposing secondaries in 2023.
