Dont’e Thornton Jr. drafted in the fourth round by the Raiders

Dont’e Thornton Jr. didn’t have to wait too long on Saturday to hear his named called in the NFL Draft. The speedy receiver went 108th overall to the Las Vegas Raiders to become the third Tennessee Volunteer drafted.

Thornton spend two seasons at Tennessee after transferring in from Oregon. The former four-star recruit battled injuries in 2023, but came on strong in his final season. Thornton caught 26 passes this past season for the Volunteers, totaling 661 yards. He led the SEC with 25.4 yards per catch, scoring six touchdowns on the season.

He checks in at 6-5, 205 pounds and ran a 4.3 in the 40 yard dash. Sounds like a classic Raider to me, right? He joins a new-look Raiders team now led by Pete Carroll with Geno Smith at quarterback. Las Vegas drafted running back Ashton Jeanty in the first round on Thursday night.

Tennessee has seen James Pearce go to the Falcons in the first round and Omarr Norman-Lott go in the second round to the Chiefs. Dylan Sampson should be up next shortly.