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Josh Heupel discusses 'electric' WR Dont'e Thornton on SEC Nation appearance

4A3DA472-0F39-4C89-9987-5851509375C0by:Matt Ray•07/19/23•

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© Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

As Tennessee’s passing attack looks to reload this fall, there is plenty of optimism around the core group of receivers. Bru McCoy, Ramel Keyton and Squirrel White all made plays for Tennessee last fall. They will all be vital pieces of the cog this season as well.

For Joe Milton III, who replaces Hendon Hooker at the quarterback position, these familiar faces will abound. However, one name that did not don the Orange and White last fall is Dont’e Thornton. But still, the Oregon transfer has plenty of buzz around his name heading into the 2023 season.

On Tuesday evening, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel joined SEC Nation and was asked about his transfer receiver. He touched on the excitment for the entire group but did offer up praise for the Oregon transfer.

“Dont’e is a special talent as well,” Heupel said. “Love just the way he has come in and he has wanted to earn it. He has been a great teammate. He has been a great worker, too. He is a guy that has great length—great frame—got an unbelievable catch radius. Had one of the highest GPS telemetry numbers as far as his on-field speed in all of college football that entered the transfer portal a year ago.

“He is electric, but he does a great job of working the middle of the football field, too. A really natural pass catcher. We are really excited about having him. He has the ability to play inside and outside as well. We have some flexibility in the four guys that are being talked about.”

Thornton transferred to Tennessee from Oregon after playing in 11 games for the Ducks last fall. He averaged a team-best 21.53 yards per catch. He hauled in 17 passes for 366 yards and a touchdown.

Tennessee’s wide receiver room will have plenty of opportunity as they replace Cedric Tillman and Biletnikoff winner Jalin Hyatt, both of which were selected in the 3rd round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Tennessee will kick off the season on September 2 in Nashville against Virginia at Nissan Stadium at 12 p.m. ET

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