West Virginia University Athletics

• Has played in 31 career games

2022 (r-So.)

• Played in eight games; added depth on the defensive line
• Season-high 37 defensive snaps at Texas Tech
• Registered 14 special teams snaps at Iowa State and had 13 at Oklahoma State
• Tied his career high in tackles, with two at Texas Tech

2021 (r-Fr.)

• Added depth on the defensive line; used extensively on special teams
• Played in 12 games, saw action on more than 200 plays, including 72 defensive snaps
• Season-high 23 defensive snaps and 16 on special teams against Baylor
• Registered three solo tackles for the season
• Had solo tackles at Maryland, vs. Long Island and against MInnesota in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl

2020 (COVID)

• Played in 10 games, adding depth on the defensive line; used on special teams
• Saw action on 168 plays, including 81 on defense
• Used on a season-high 35 plays at Oklahoma State, including 23 on defense
• Assisted on five tackles, including a season-high two against Eastern Kentucky

2019 (Fr.)

• Redshirted

High School

• A two-way lineman at Indian Hill for coach Tony Arcuri
• Earned All-Ohio Division IV First Team honors as a senior, and was a third-team member as a junior
• Team captain
• Helped lead Indian Hill to a 9-3 over­all record, 6-1 mark in the Cincinnati Hills Conference and the second round of the state playoffs
• Regis­tered 89 tackles, including 45 solo stops, 11.5 sacks and 20 tackles for loss
• Named Cincinnati Hills Con­ference Defensive Player of the Year, two-time all-conference first team and two-time all-region selection
• For his career, he finished with 215 tackles, including 101 solo stops, 16.5 sacks and a fumble recovery
• As a junior, he finished with 91 tackles, five sacks, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery
• A three-star prospect by ESPN, rivals and 247Sports
• Ranked in the top 50 by ESPN, rivals and 247Sports and No. 75 defensive end nationally by 247Sports

Personal

• Son of John and Allison Thornton
• Father was a two-time All-Big East and Sports Network All-America First Team performer playing for Hall of Fame coach Don Nehlen at West Virginia and had a 10-year NFL career with the Tennessee Titans and Cincinnati Bengals
• One of two children (1 brother)
• Will graduated with his bachelor’s degree in sport management in August 2023
• Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll
• Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll