[jwplayer oSIhhUd1]
There is not a defined number of games a player must play at the collegiate level before they can be considered a leader in their respective position group.
However, if there were a number, it would almost certainly be higher than four.
In the case of the Oregon Ducks wide receiver room, which lost so many talented players over the offseason, the leadership role is landing on the shoulders of sophomore Dont’e Thornton – who has just four college games under his belt.
[lawrence-related id=22707]
“No one really asked me, but I know that with all of the older guys in that room gone, somebody had to step up,” Thornton commented after spring practice on Thursday. “So I would try my best to help everybody, even though I’m not the oldest one in the room, but we need somebody to take that step up and I felt like I’m gonna take that step and do that and help everybody else.”
Even though Thornton only has nine receptions to his name, along with a pair of touchdowns, he felt the responsibility to step up and lead this talented but largely inexperienced group of receivers into the 2022 season.
Thornton admits it is more of a collaborative effort amongst the wide receivers, as they are all in this together while they adjust to a new offense under head coach Dan Lanning and Offensive Coordinator Kenny Dillingham.
[lawrence-related id=22655]
“It’s not trying to control anybody,” Thornton continued. “Like when I tell them the right thing to do, they do it. They have questions, they ask me, and they correct me too so we all help each other.”
Thornton is expected to command a big role in Oregon’s offense this season, alongside Kris Hutson, Troy Franklin, and UCLA transfer Chase Cota.
Contact/Follow us @Ducks_Wire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinion.
Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.
[mm-video type=video id=01g0qhnymhcp43pnjcy6 playlist_id=01f27mq9z7hjgk6vc6 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g0qhnymhcp43pnjcy6/01g0qhnymhcp43pnjcy6-3d5f1a06a0f740a6eb3a980a313e4ad9.jpg]
[listicle id=22673]