Florida football: Which members of the 2023 class will stick around?
By Will Thomas
![Florida Gators offensive coordinator Rob Sale hugs Florida Gators recruit Jaden Rashada after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina Gamecocks](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fb482533cec463d6b151a373994a30247971cb2bec6abc63f82331df0356cc746.jpg "Florida Gators offensive coordinator Rob Sale hugs Florida Gators recruit Jaden Rashada after the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 12, 2022. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]Ncaa Football Florida Gators Vs South Carolina Gamecocks")
Thornton, while only a 3-star out of high school, had lots of big-time schools interested in him before he committed to Florida. He only took visits to Florida and Alabama during his recruitment.
When Saban is interested in someone, you know you’ve got a good player.
That said, it’s possible Thornton struggles to find playing time in Gainesville. He’s slightly undersized, at 5’10”-185, and will be behind guys like Kamari Wilson and Dakota Mitchell.
He’s also the 3rd-rated safety in the Gators’ recruiting class, behind Dijon Johnson and Jordan Castell. He’ll be a few steps back from a starting role when he gets to campus.
Now he could absolutely earn his way onto the field, but with the congestion in the safety room, I think it’s more likely he opts to go somewhere else where he can see the field consistently.
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