Tennessee football is sending six players to the 2025 NFL Draft Combine, where they will showcase their skills with the best college football players in the country.
Pro Football Focus named one Tennessee player as a "sleeper to watch" for the upcoming combine and draft, and their pick shouldn't surprise anyone in Vol Nation.
Vols wide receiver Dont'e Thornton was named a "sleeper" by PFF ahead of the combine later this week. He never had a breakout season on Rocky Top, but he was always a deep threat Nico Iamaleava could lean on when needed throughout the 2024 season.
"Thornton felt underutilized in Tennessee’s offense this past season with just 26 receptions," PFF's Trevor Sikkema writes. "However, those receptions went for 661 yards thanks to a 25.4 yards-per-reception average. His 80.6 receiving grade was the highest of any Volunteer this past season.
"He’ll look the part at around 6-foot-5, but he could stand out in the jumps and the 40-yard dash. He was a versatile track and field guy in high school, participating in the 100-meter dash, high jump, long jump and triple jump. That size and speed combination could make him a fan-favorite when it comes to the mock draft simulator. He could also be a front-office favorite as well for certain NFL teams. He scored a game athleticism score above 90.0 in each of the last three years."
While he may not have reached his potential during his time with Tennessee, he showed his explosiveness in spurts. He made big plays for Tennessee's offense when the Vols needed him to show up, which made him a big part of the offense.
Thornton joins Auburn's Eugene Asante, Virginia Tech's Da'Quan Felton and Bhayshul Tuten, and William & Mary's Charles Grant on PFF's list of sleepers to watch.
The 2025 NFL Draft Combine begins Thursday, February 27, and runs throughout the weekend in Indianapolis. If Thornton lives up to PFF's expectations, his draft stock could quickly rise as draft weekend approaches.