Tennessee slot receiver Dont'e Thornton changes positions
Tennessee's offense will look a bit different this year as Josh Heupel moves Dont'e Thornton from slot receiver to a more natural fit on offense. The 6-foot-5, 214-pound receiver transferred to Tennessee from Oregon last year but didn't see as much action as probably he or fans expected in 2023.
Thorton only recorded 13 catches for 224 yards and one touchdown in 2023 because of the slow start last season. Josh Heupel moved him from slot receiver to the outside receiver position, and Tennessee saw Thornton's production tick up slightly toward the end of the season.
While he only appeared in six games, in those final three games, he totaled 133 yards. Part of that was because of Bru McCoy's season-ending ankle injury against South Carolina. Thornton showed his potential the rest of the season, which helped Heupel move him from slot to outside receiver permanently this spring.
Heupel discussed the move during a spring practice interview. He mentioned that part of the reason he didn't see a lot of production or success was their depth and missed opportunities from Thornton due to injuries.
"We moved him outside in the middle part of last year, and he was playing his best football," Heupel said. "It's a guy that has great trust in the coaching staff. [Thornton] understands just how to operate and function within our offense and understands coverages in a better way. Just continuing to grow out there. Really like what he's done."
Thornton also said he is more comfortable and has felt more confident in his new role in the Tennessee offense. The outside receiver position is more natural for him, and this has been clear for him throughout the spring.
"I am feeling very confident now that I have a year under my belt with the offense," Thornton said. "I feel like everything is a lot easier for me. Now, I can play faster and do not have to think too much while I am playing. With things going a little bit better towards the end of last season, then with me going down, that's nothing I can control."
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Thornton and McCoy are expected to be Tennessee's two outside threats at receiver in 2024, but the addition of Tulane transfer Chris Brazzell could change things up. Brazzell is good enough to start for the Vols, but Thornton's speed, size, and ability to break a game wide open could give him the upper hand when Tennessee heads into Fall camp.