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Dont'e Thornton

Dont'e Terrell Thornton Jr. (born November 30, 2002) is an American professional football wide receiver for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers and the Oregon Ducks and was selected by the Raiders in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL draft.

Early life

Thornton attended Mount Saint Joseph High School in Baltimore, Maryland. He was rated as a four-star recruit and committed to play for the Oregon Ducks.[1][2]

College career

Oregon

As a freshman in 2021, Thornton notched nine receptions for 175 yards and two touchdowns.[3] In 2022, he appeared in 11 games for the Ducks with five starts, where he hauled in 17 receptions for 366 yards and a touchdown.[4] After the season, Thornton entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal.[5][6]

Tennessee

Thornton transferred to play for the Tennessee Volunteers.[7] In week 11 of the 2023 season, he hauled in a 46 yard touchdown but suffered a season-ending injury on the play versus Missouri.[8] In first season with the Volunteers in 2023, Thornton hauled in 13 receptions for 224 yards and one touchdown.[9] In the 2024 season opener, he hauled in three receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Chattanooga.[10] In week 11, Thornton hauled in three receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown in a win over Mississippi State.[11] In the 2024 season, he finished with 26 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns.[12]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 4+5⁄8 in
(1.95 m) 		205 lb
(93 kg) 		32+1⁄8 in
(0.82 m) 		9+5⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		 4.30 s 1.51 s 2.53 s 33.0 in
(0.84 m)		 10 ft 6 in
(3.20 m)
All values from NFL Combine[13][14]

Thornton was selected with the 108th overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2025 NFL draft.[15]

References

  1. ^ Nemec, Andrew (October 20, 2020). "Dont'e Thornton, nation's No. 6 wide receiver, commits to Oregon Ducks". OregonLive.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  2. ^ Andrews, Kyle (October 20, 2020). "Four-star Mount Saint Joseph wide receiver Dont'e Thornton commits to Oregon: 'It's been my dream'". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  3. ^ Sparks, Adam (January 9, 2023). "Tennessee football lands Oregon transfer wide receiver Dont'e Thornton". Knoxville News-Sentinel. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  4. ^ Sparks, Adam (October 31, 2023). "Did Tennessee football finally unlock WR Dont'e Thornton's potential for stretch run?". Knoxville News-Sentinel. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  5. ^ Heisen, Aaron (November 28, 2022). "Sophomore wide receiver Dont'e Thornton enters transfer portal ahead of Oregon bowl game". The Daily Emerald. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  6. ^ Crepea, James (November 29, 2022). "Oregon Ducks receiver Dont'e Thornton to enter transfer portal". OregonLive.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  7. ^ Corwell, Evan (January 9, 2023). "Dont'e Thornton Announces Transfer Decision". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  8. ^ Ramey, Grant (August 11, 2024). "'Mindset' is the biggest difference for Dont'e Thornton entering Year 2 at Tennessee". On3.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  9. ^ Wilson, Mike (August 31, 2024). "How Dont'e Thornton became another explosive option for Tennessee football". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  10. ^ Wilson, Mike (October 1, 2024). "How stats show Tennessee football's best receiver isn't getting the ball enough". Knoxville News-Sentinel. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  11. ^ Ramey, Grant (November 10, 2024). "Tennessee WR Dont'e Thornton out against Mississippi State with injury". On3.com. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  12. ^ "Dont'e Thornton Jr. 2024 Stats per Game". ESPN. January 31, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  13. ^ Zierlein, Lance. "Dont'e Thornton Jr. Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  14. ^ "Dont'e Thornton Jr. College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved March 1, 2025.
  15. ^ "WR Dont'e Thornton Jr. selected at No. 108 by Las Vegas Raiders". Las Vegas Raiders. Retrieved April 26, 2025.