2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Corey Thornton, CB, Central Florida

Corey Thornton utilizes his good size and physicality as a lockdown CB for UCF. Hula Bowl scout Justyce Gordon breaks down Thornton as an NFL Prospect in his report.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Corey Thornton, #14
School (Code)	FLCE
DOB, Class Yr	4^thYear Senior
Height, Weight	6010, 190Lbs
40 Yd Dash	4.56e
Position/Depth	CB
Honors/Captainship	247 Sports Pre-Season All American Honors in 2020, All-ACC 3^rd Team Honors for PFF in 2021 & 3rd Team All-ACC Honors in 2022 for PFF
Season Viewed (yr)	2022
Games Watched	Tulane, Cincinnati & SMU
Scout Name / Date	Justyce Gordon, 08-23-23

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	37 solo tackles (50 total), 1 TFL, 0 Int’s 7 PD’s & 1 FF in 13 games
2021	22 solo tackles (32 total), 3 TFL, 0 Int’s & 6 PD’s in 11 games
2020	23 solo tackles (30 total), 1 Int & 2 PD’s in 10 games
2019	None (HS)

Player Summary:

Corey Thornton is a 4^th year senior that is coming off back-to-back seasons having earned 3^rd Team All-ACC Honors by PFF. Thornton possesses very good size and arm length for his position, specifically on the outside where he’s able to play big vs bigger receivers. Shows good physicality in press to get hands on opponents off LOS and shows overall good technique in press and off-man coverage. Shows good hip fluidity to turn and run well in Man. Possesses good speed and turn and run with most downfield, good catch-up speed as well. Displays good click-close speed when breaking on play, able to stop & start well when transitioning. Very good match/mirror ability in Man and overall solid ability in Zone. Thornton demonstrates good timing on PBU opportunities, able to play with back to play well. Shows good tackling ability around LOS and in space, shows willingness to come downhill to make tackles. Adequate technique/balance vs release in press, often bites on double moves off line vs rhythm steps. Adequate play rec in both Man & Zone, lacks good feel for anticipating routes in both concepts. Plays with marginal ball skills in coverage to find and make plays on the ball in coverage, uncomfortable getting head around downfield in coverage. Displays adequate block shed ability on perimeter, tends to be slow disengaging from blocks.

Scheme Fit:

Cover 2 Man

Power Statement:

Corey Thornton was built to be a Man-Man corner, his very good size and length combined with his match/mirror ability & hip fluidity is what makes him so good in that scheme. He doesn’t show a great feel for Zone as he struggles to anticipate and play QB’s eyes in those situations. Thornton’s ball skills are a bit of a concern for me as well, only logging 1 career Int so far and has shown struggles of finding the ball downfield and getting his head around to create turnovers. Thornton’s size will definitely intrigue teams, and I believe he’ll be a training camp body early on, with potential to develop into a quality depth/rotation player on a roster.