Former Tennessee Vols standout already receiving first team reps in NFL training camp as a rookie
A former Tennessee Vols standout is already receiving some first team reps in NFL training camp despite being a rookie. Former Vols wide receiver Dont'e Thornton was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. And it looks like Thornton is poised to play a key role in […]
A former Tennessee Vols standout is already receiving some first team reps in NFL training camp despite being a rookie.
Former Vols wide receiver Dont'e Thornton was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
And it looks like Thornton is poised to play a key role in the Raiders' offense this fall.
Vegas Nation reporter Vincent Bonsignore pointed out on Wednesday that Thornton is receiving first team reps when Las Vegas is in 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end, three wide receivers).
The Raiders are understandably excited about Thornton, thanks to his elite size and speed combination.
"Dont'e is a unique in terms of, he's just a hair under 6-foot-5," said Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly in May. "And he ran a 4.3 (in the 40 yard dash). There's not a lot of humans on this planet that do that. I think if you had to draw up an outside receiver, you would pick that type of body type. Someone that's got length, someone that's got a huge catch radius, but also has speed. Sometimes you can get a big guy like that, but he can't really run, so they (defensive backs) can stay with him. So you add that speed element to him, his ability to sink his hips, his ability to get in and out of cuts."
Thornton also quickly impressed teammate Maxx Crosby.
“Dont’e Thornton, the dude we drafted from Tennessee, the big receiver,” said Crosby 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.”
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There's a long way to go until the start of the 2025 season — Thornton still has plenty that he needs to master in the Raiders' offense. But it certainly feels like the former Vol is going to see a lot of action for Las Vegas as a rookie.
