'10 GA DT Michael Thornton (Verbal Offer)

AustinScottistheone · #1 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 08:30 AM

Mike Thornton - Football Recruiting
Scout.com: Michael Thornton Profile

Defensive tackle
Stone Mountain (GA) Stephenson

Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 280 pounds
Forty: 4.8 seconds
Bench max: 330 pounds
Squat max: 450 pounds
Class: 2010 (High School)

Scout $

3/4

Has offers from South Carolina and Miami, and thinks Auburn might be close.

AustinScottistheone · #2 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 08:30 AM

Scout $

5/12

Claims to have added offers from Auburn, WVU, Duke, Ole Miss, ECU, NCS, La Tech, Louisville, Arkansas, Tennessee, MSU, and PSU.

AustinScottistheone · #3 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 08:40 AM

http://bwi.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=979614

8/24

By Jeffrey Lee. Michael is focused on high school right now, on and off the field. Has always been an Auburn fan, lived relatively close until his 8th grade year and says they are one of his top choices. Michigan and PSU are two schools Michael says he is really feeling....talks about his contact with PSU coach Larry Johnson, says the two have good conversations, and hopefully he can make PSU one of his official visits.

AustinScottistheone · #4 (**permalink**) 08-27-2009, 12:11 PM

Stephenson DT Mike Thornton will visit Penn State | AJC College Sports Recruiting

Quote:

Don’t underestimate Penn State in race to land Thornton
10:45 am August 27, 2009, by Chip Towers

Georgia and Auburn are generally considered the leaders in the recruitment of Stephenson defensive tackle Mike Thornton. But don’t underestimate Penn State in the sweepstakes to land the state’s top uncommitted prospect.

Thornton, a 6-foot-2, 280-pound senior from Stone Mountain, said the only recruiting trip he is absolutely certain he and his father will make this fall is to State College, Penn., to check out the Nittany Lions.

CONTINUED....

AustinScottistheone · #5 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 01:55 PM

Thornton: 'I will be visiting Penn State' -'

9/1

Quote:

By Bill Kurelic, NN Recruiting Analyst
bkurelic@nittanynetwork.com
Sept. 1, 2009

Stone Mountain (Ga.) Stephenson defensive tackle Mike Thornton estimates his scholarship offer total to stand at 30. The list includes Penn State, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Alabama, Auburn, LSU, Miami and Michigan.

However, just one school is assured of an official visit.

“I haven’t scheduled any yet, but I will be visiting Penn State,” Thornton said. “I’m not sure at the moment about any other visits.”

CONTINUED....

Quote:

Kurelic’s Comment: If the Nittany Lions can land either Thornton or fellow defensive tackle Sharrif Floyd it would be huge. If they could somehow land both it would be a spectacular haul for Joe Pa, especially in light of defensive tackle Evan Hailes also being part of the 2010 class.

MattC87 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 02:30 PM

How many DTs are you taking?

FrankBooth · #7 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 05:51 PM

I'd guess they'll just take one more . . . though if they can get two I can see them using Daquan Jones on the O-line

PSU42Fan · #8 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 10:02 PM

This is looks pretty good on film. He'd be a good fit at the 3-Tech.

It's either him or Floyd, IMO. I don't know that we have room for both, but we could.

PennStateAlum · #9 (**permalink**) 09-01-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSU42Fan

This is looks pretty good on film. He'd be a good fit at the 3-Tech.

It's either him or Floyd, IMO. I don't know that we have room for both, but we could.

PSU42...how much has the staff been able to revive things w/ Floyd? Read that he is high on South Carolina and Florida. The pendulum seemed to have swung pretty abruptly. How much is Floyd still an option at this point? Naturally PSU wants him...but how much is Floyd really interested in PSU? Just curious.

Hate to take this thread a bit away from Thornton, but it seems that Thornton is becoming more of an option now.

I can't believe how quickly we fell w/ Floyd. Just drives me nuts.

PSU42Fan · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PennStateAlum

PSU42...how much has the staff been able to revive things w/ Floyd? Read that he is high on South Carolina and Florida. The pendulum seemed to have swung pretty abruptly. How much is Floyd still an option at this point? Naturally PSU wants him...but how much is Floyd really interested in PSU? Just curious.

Hate to take this thread a bit away from Thornton, but it seems that Thornton is becoming more of an option now.

I can't believe how quickly we fell w/ Floyd. Just drives me nuts.

Here's what I believe to be the current status - Floyd dropped us down (as we know), and the staff caught wind. I'm sure they connected with Floyd at some point to address the issue. What I don't know is how much impact that had on Floyd.

Optimistically, we are still in contention and Floyd will make a visit (official or unofficial) during the season. We will then be up near the top once again as he prepares to decide in January.

My guess is we'll know by the end of the season (if not before) if we have a shot.

FWIW, Florida "insiders" are saying they'd be surprised if Floyd didn't end up at PSU. Again, FWIW.

Jake Gittes · #11 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 10:05 AM

You know what the turning point w/ Floyd was (imo)...I think it was around Arts Fest, when Fortt, Royer, and Redd were up and Floyd couldn't find a ride. I had a sinking feeling right then. Big opportunity missed. Floyd never bonded with anyone else in the class. There were update after update of PSU verbals saying they wanted to get his cell phone #. Just a bunch of missed connections, bad luck, and Florida negative recruiting. Damn shame. Haunts me as well.

AustinScottistheone · #12 (**permalink**) 09-02-2009, 12:21 PM

Good call Gittes. Obviously we won't know until a LOI is signed, but that was definitely a big missed opportunity. Bonding with other prospects that to this point have made their PSU commitments (save Fortt), and attending L4L and all that would've been a big visit.

AustinScottistheone · #13 (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 02:35 AM

Scout.com: Thornton’s feeling Georgia

9/13/09

By Chad Simmons. This was the first big game experience Michael has had UGA-South Carolina, and he says he couldn't have been more pleased...UGA creates an awesome environment and he was blown away. Says it is like a real family at UGA and he knows that he can trust what they are saying...has yet to attend any other games but has UGA and Auburn at the top of his list with others in the mix. Visiting Auburn this weekend for the WVU game.

AustinScottistheone · #14 (**permalink**) 09-14-2009, 02:45 AM

http://bwi.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=988015

9/13/09

By Kipp Adams. Says his visit to Georgia was great....talks about getting to speak with the coaches and players on the field prior to the game. Says everyone made him feel wanted...knows UGA is in his top three, with Auburn being another....those two are the top two. Will try to take his five official visits, but if not hopes to get at least three in....reiterates that this was his first CFB game and he needs to see some others to compare.

AustinScottistheone · #15 (**permalink**) 09-15-2009, 02:57 AM

Scout.com: Thornton Discusses Four Leaders

9/15/09

By Allen Wallace. Michael now slightly favors Georgia and Auburn over PSU and Miami (FL)....doesn't know where he wants to go yet and is going to take things slow. Talks about the UGA visit and says he may be going to the Auburn-WVU game this weekend but it isn't a sure thing...talks about Auburn and growing up a fan. Would definitely like to take an official visit to PSU, and talks about both PSU and Miami (FL) a little bit as well.