Interview: Big 3-Star 2022 Lawndale CB Dionte Thornton Talks Boise State Commitment
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
Mountain West offenses, you are put on notice. A headhunter is heading to the conference, and his name is Dionte Thornton.
The Mountain West Conference will not be a safe place for offensive players in the near future once Class of 2022 defensive back Dionte Thornton matriculates to Boise State. The 6-3, 185-pound, defender has worked his way to three-star recruiting status with Los Angeles’ Lawndale High School as that do-everything DB playing corner and safety.
With offers from Arizona, Cal, and Kansas, on Tuesday (June 8), Thornton put an effective end to his recruiting process after an unofficial visit with the Broncos announcing his verbal commitment. For insight on how the Boise State coaching staff wooed him along the recruiting trail, Thornton stopped by the RNG Clubhouse for a quick one-on-one.
*Click the link for the May 2021 RNG video interview with Dionte Thornton
Interview
Dionte, congratulations on your commitment to Boise State.
Thank you.
If you will, walk us through how the Boise coaching staff started recruiting you leading up to the offer.
Around our last game, Coach (Jeron) Johnson, their cornerbacks coach, DM-ed on Twitter. He saw my film, he really liked it; he and Coach Kane (Ioane), their safeties coach. A few days later I talked to Coach Johnson about our season, and after that I talked to Coack Kane a couple of days later. We’ve stayed in contact since then.
A few weeks later, Coach Johnson asked if I can go out on an unofficial visit and workout with them. This past weekend, I worked out with him. When I was there, I talked to the coaches and the head coach. I worked out with the coaches; we did ball drills. They were able to see my movements and liked me. They offered me, that’s when I made my commitment.
You committed on the spot?
Yes.
You announced your offer from Boise during an unofficial on June 6. That visit obviously went very well. What all did you do other than the workout?
Other than the workout, there was a lot that I did. I toured the facility and I watched the players, the players were in the weight room and they did some film work; I watched that too. Then I toured the school. They had a BBQ for alumni at the school. After that, I worked out and did the photo shoot. I talked to Coach (Andy) Avalos (head coach) and then had dinner with them.
What were some things about the facilities, campus, and/or staff that stood out to you?
What stood out to me was that they were all welcoming. All of them were very interested in me. I talked to the players about the school and what they offer, because the coaches and players have different things to say. The players’ point of view, they had great things to say about the school.
Given your versatility in the secondary, how does the Broncos’ defensive coordinator see you fitting into the scheme?
I am going there as a corner. They do a lot of man, that is what I do at high school. Me being very physical, that is an easy fit for me.
When did you make that decision to verbally commit to the Broncos? Did you have it preplanned that if they offer you were going to commit?
Yes, it was already planned before. I knew if they offered that I would commit.
When and how did you do it?
I don’t remember exactly what I said. We were talking defensive schemes, that’s when they offered me. I’m sure I said I’d like to commit.
That moment before telling the coaches, what was going through your mind?
It is still kind of all surreal.
Now that you’ve committed, how does it feel?
It feels great. Now I can focus on this high school season and get prepared for the next level. I will continue to work on my speed and different things to get ready.
Are you going to help recruit other top players to join you at Boise? If so, what’s going to be your pitch?
I’d like to help with recruiting. Right now, there are players such as Donovan Turner (Long Beach Poly) and I know Quincy Craig from Mater Dei, there are a few others, that are Boise State recruits. The pitch, a lot of people will say it is a great school from the players and other people. My pitch will be more about the program, the coaches, the players that have gone there.
Dionte, I appreciate you taking us inside your commitment to the Broncos. Wishing you the best of luck this summer preparing for your senior season.
Thank you.
Photo credit: Thornton family; Dionte Thornton at Boise State