Outside linebacker/edge rusher for the Tigers with tremendous quickness … Has yet to reach his potential due to a series of minor injuries that have limited him at times … Expected to be at full strength for fall camp … With his speed and strength, gives LSU another pass rush specialist on the edge … More than just a pass rusher, is good against the run as well … Has played in 18 games with four starts during his career … 31 career tackles along with 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
SOPHOMORE SEASON (2018)
Played in 12 games with two starts … Starts came in the Fiesta Bowl win over UCF and in the home-opener against Southeastern Louisiana … Had career-best five tackles against Southeastern Louisiana and Ole Miss … First career sack came in win over Southeastern … Added four tackles against Florida and Alabama.
REDSHIRT FRESHMAN SEASON (2017)
Played six games and started the final two games at outside linebacker … Finished the season with 10 tackles … Recorded a season-high three tackles against Texas A&M and in the Citrus Bowl against Notre Dame … Also finished with two tackles against Tennessee and one tackle against both BYU and Chattanooga.
FRESHMAN SEASON (2016)
Redshirted as a true freshman in 2016.
HIGH SCHOOL
Rated as the nation’s 61st-best overall prospect by ESPN … Four-star rating from ESPN, Scout, and 247Sports … Ranked No. 195 by 247Sports and No. 259 by Scout … Invited to the Under Armour All-American Game … Listed as the nation’s 13th-best weak side defensive end prospect and rated as the 31st-best player in the state of Texas for the class of 2016 … Helped team to a 9-3 overall mark as a senior and the school’s first-ever playoff victory … Key contributor on a Shoemaker High defense that allowed only 15 points a game in 2015 … Had 57 tackles and 10 sacks in 2015 … Recorded 61 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss and five sacks as a junior … Named District 12-6A Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 … Named 2015 Killeen Daily Herald All-Area Most Valuable Player … Coached by Channon Hall.
PERSONAL
Parents are Danielle and Rahssan Thornton Sr. … Born Nov. 17, 1997 … Majoring in sport administration.
Ray Thornton’s Career Highs
Tackles: 5, 2x (Last: vs. Ole Miss, 2018; First: vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 2018)
Tackles for Loss: 1.5 vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 2018
Sacks: 1.0 vs. Southeastern Louisiana, 2018