Let’s get right to it. Dont’e Thornton, a transfer WR from Oregon who landed at Tennessee this offseason, claimed Wednesday that he was clocked at 24.3 MPH during a play for the Ducks last season.

According to Next Gen Stats, Parris Campbell’s mark of 22.11 MPH was the fastest speed achieved during the 2022 NFL season. The fastest speed in NFL history was 23.24 by Tyreek Hill in 2016.

Across the past week alone, 2 Vols receivers have claimed dominance over Hill’s 2016 number: Thornton and former Vols Jalin Hyatt, who is thought to have reached 24 MPH during the Giants training camp.

Thornton also revealed Wednesday that he has been mostly working out of the slot, though he has split outside the numbers as well. Hyatt did most of his damage from the slot last season.

Tennessee has certainly not taken a hit from a vertical speed perspective. Thornton’s 24.3 MPH claim says a lot by itself, but don’t forget sophomore receiver Squirrel White’s ability to create space, either.

We all know he can throw 75 yards flat-footed. But if Joe Milton can continue to fine tune his deep ball accuracy the Vols’ passing game could be deadly.