Phil Steele predicts big impact from Dont'e Thornton for Tennessee

Ahead of the 2023 season, college football expert Phil Steele took some time to talk Tennessee football and make a few predictions before the start of the season. And the college football expert pinned one of their offseason acquisitions as an impact player in 2023

“Yea, it’s a newcomer; a guy that’s brand new to the team this year,” said Steele on 99.1 The Sports Animal. “It’s Dont’e Thornton at wide receiver. Dont’e Thornton is six-foot-five. He’s 205 pounds, got that rare combination of size and speed. He’s probably just as fast as Hyatt was. He runs good routes. He’s got good length, and, as mentioned, he’s just as fast as Hyatt. So, I think you’ll see Dont’e Thornton come in from Oregon, step in, and really steal a lot of the receptions this year and be one of the big newcomers of the year.”

Thornton wasn’t a key fixture in Oregon’s offense last season, but the junior wideout was still able to put up some solid numbers. Thornton played in a total of 11 games, recording 17 catches, 366 yards, and one touchdown. Although 17 catches is not a lot, he was still able to showcase his skill set as a receiving threat with the ability to stretch the field. Thornton led all Oregon receivers in average yards per catch with 21.5 yards a reception.

Steele shares his feelings on Tennessee’s schedule

Steele also tackled the Volunteers’ schedule, one of the key components of how Tennessee will fare this year. The way Steele sees it, there are five key conference games the Volunteers will have to look out for, starting with a trip to Gainesville, FL, to take on the Florida Gators.

“When I look at Tennessee’s schedule this year, the Florida game is no gimme,” said Steele. “I mean, yes, they finally got the Florida jinx done last year, got the big victory there. But they do have to play them in The Swamp. I think that’s going to be a tough game early on.”

Last year Tennessee got the best of their SEC East rival, pulling out a 38-33 victory for their fourth win of the season. That victory occurred in the Volunteers’ home of Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. This year Tennessee will see if they can repeat the results of last year’s matchup at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Sept 16.