Entered 2021 credited with 17 career tackles and a pass breakup in 161 snaps over 15 games (two starts).
2021: Core special teams contributor … credited with a special teams tackle at Syracuse … added two tackles at No. 23 Pitt and shared team special teams player of the game honors … had one tackle vs. Florida State … notched six tackles (one for loss) vs. UConn … contributed a tackle and a pass breakup vs. No. 13 Wake Forest … made one tackle at South Carolina.
2020: Credited with 17 tackles and a pass breakup in 158 snaps over 12 games (two starts) … recorded two tackles at Wake Forest … added a tackle vs. The Citadel, vs. Virginia and vs. No. 7 Miami … added three tackles at Georgia Tech … made one tackle at No. 4 Notre Dame … contributed two tackles at Virginia Tech.
2019: Appeared in four games while redshirting in 2019, playing three defensive snaps and contributing on special teams … made collegiate debut on special teams vs. Georgia Tech … contributed in a win against Charlotte … played on special teams vs. Wofford and vs. Wake Forest.
Before Clemson: Georgia native who played his high school football in Alabama … athletic safety who joined 2017 high school teammate Justyn Ross at Clemson … Ross and Thornton were first scholarship athletes to come to Clemson from Phenix City since Marvin Sims (1976-79) … ranked as the 18th-best player in state of Alabama by ESPN.com and Rivals.com … ranked as No. 13 prospect in Alabama by the Birmingham News … integral reason why Central High won the state championship in 2018 with a 14-0 record … bright spot in the secondary that helped Central to 52-7 win in 7A state championship game against team led by Alabama signee Taulia Tagovailoa, the brother of Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa … Had an interception and 68-yard return to set up a field goal in the third quarter of that game … Helped lead Central to its first undefeated season since 1944 and first state championship since 1993 … had 57 tackles and two interceptions in 2017, helping Central to the semifinals of the state championship tournament … wore No. 5 in high school … played his high school football at Central High School for Jamey Dubose … Clemson recruiter was Todd Bates … committed to Clemson on June 22, 2018 … enrolled at Clemson in January 2019.
Personal: Born Dec. 4, 2000 … majoring in parks, tourism and recreation management … two-time ACC Honor Roll selection (2019-20).
Note: Tackle stats in the bio above reflect statistics from coaches film review. Tackle stats in the table below reflect those as awarded by gameday stat crews.
