Oregon transfer WR Dont'e Thornton has been 'phenomenal' at Tennessee
Kelsey Pope knew what the Vols were getting in Dont’e Thornton. Tennessee’s wide receivers coach had seen enough on film of the Oregon transfer to know what he was going to bring on the field.
“I think skillset wise, the tape that we saw before we got him showed you he had a skillset,” Pope said after Monday’s spring practice.
What Pope has learned about Thornton since he arrived at Tennessee is everything else — all he brings off the field and in the complex.
“Usually when you get transfer guys, it’s trying to understand the person,” Pope said. “Dont’e has been phenomenal because he’s all football. He loves it. He’s in the building all the time. He’s the first one in, the last one out. He’s coming in between, trying to get extra work.
“Days that he’s not practicing, per se, he’s the most excited guy on the sideline, coaching other guys up. I’ve been pleased with him all the way through.”
Dont’e Thornton: 26 receptions, 541 yards, 3 TDs in 15 games at Oregon
Thornton caught 26 passes for 541 yards and three touchdowns in two seasons at Oregon, playing 15 games for the Ducks. He had 17 catches for 366 yards and a touchdown last season, before entering the NCAA Transfer Portal and ultimately landing at Tennessee.
He was a consensus four-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting cycle out of Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore.
Now with the Vols, Thornton gives a different look in the slot. Both the 6-foot-5, 205-pound Thornton and Squirrel White, the 5-foot-10, 165-pound sophomore, will get their share of snaps in Tennessee’s uptempo spread offense, according to Pope.
“You can get both of those guys in at the same time,” Pope said. “I think another thing you have to be conscious of is having guys play multiple spots. Because you want your best players on the field. Those two are in the group or whatever, you’ve got to have some guys play multiple spots, it allows you to do that.”
Up Next: Orange & White Game, April 15, 2:30 p.m. ET, Neyland Stadium
White caught 30 passes for 481 yards and two touchdowns last season, including nine catches for 108 yards and a touchdown in the win over Clemson in the Orange Bowl, playing a more prominent role with Jalin Hyatt opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Pope said the biggest difference between Thornton and Pope is the most obvious — their builds.
“I think just body type, for one, body makeup,” he said. “Dont’e is 6-5, 205, 210. Squirrel is 5-8, he’s around 170 now. I think body type, there’s a big difference. Both those guys have the ability to run. Squirrel is more of a vertical guy. Dont’e can run, he’s adds a little bit more lateral. Little bit more on the line of scrimmage.
“Both of those guys have a unique skillset that we’re going to have to take advantage of this year. And it will help us win.”
