'There's not a lot of humans on this planet that do that' - Former Tennessee Vols standout receives big praise from NFL coach

Former Tennessee Vols wide receiver Dont'e Thornton has received a significant amount of praise this week. 

Earlier this week, Thornton, a fourth round selection by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2025 NFL Draft, was called an "absolute freak" (among other compliments) by new teammate Maxx Crosby. 

On Thursday, Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who was Ohio State's offensive coordinator last season (which means he saw Thornton up close and personal in the College Football Playoff), had high praise for the former Tennessee wide receiver. 

"Dont'e is a unique in terms of, he's just a hair under 6-foot-5," said Kelly. "And he ran a 4.3 (in the 40 yard dash). There's not a lot of humans on this planet that do that. I think if you had to draw up an outside receiver, you would pick that type of body type. Someone that's got length, someone that's got a huge catch radius, but also has speed. Sometimes you can get a big guy like that, but he can't really run, so they (defensive backs) can stay with him. So you add that speed element to him, his ability to sink his hips, his ability to get in and out of cuts."

Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, who is entering his seventh season in the NFL, told reporters on Thursday that Thornton has some "real receiver skills" and that he's not just a guy who runs fast.