As the Raiders' 2025 draft picks go through their first NFL training camp, Raiders.com's Levi Edwards is sitting down with each player for a Q&A.
The next rookie to be highlighted is fourth-round pick Dont'e Thornton Jr.
LE: What went into the process of wanting to transfer from Oregon to Tennessee as an upperclassman?
DT: "With the way things were going at Oregon, I needed a fresh start to get myself going again. I felt like I had a good sophomore season and there was a chance for me to better myself. I wanted to accomplish my goal. My lifelong goal was to go to the NFL. I just needed to be somewhere I could excel at and I took that chance into the portal to Tennessee."
LE: Growing up in a single parent household with four younger siblings looking up to you, how much inspiration do you draw from your family?
DT: "In terms of my 'why,' my family is definitely one of my biggest 'whys' growing up where I grew up. I graduated from college this past December. Even with me getting there, there's not a lot of people from my community and neighborhood that have been able to do that. Knowing that I've done that and having younger siblings that are coming up behind me, I want to be that positive role model. You don't have to fall victim into statistics from your neighborhood; you can do more and be a positive light. Me doing this at the highest level, that shows my family that I can consistently do that."
LE: Speaking of your community, you grew up in the heart of Baltimore, Maryland. How much responsibility do you hold in representing where you're from?
DT: "Football has definitely been the number one thing to be my ticket out of where I'm from. Everybody I talk to back home always says, 'I'm proud of you for sticking to the process.' Football has been my thing since I was a little kid. I knew for sure at a certain age, football was going to be my way to make things different for my family. The younger kids back home, they look up to me. They see me doing it, so it makes them feel like that don't have to take the street route or do something that's not in a positive light. I just want to go back home and show these kids, 'I came from the same environment you have, but I made it out and you can do the same thing.'"
LE: Since OTAs, you've been taking reps at wideout with the first-team. Has this all come at you quickly or do you believe you were ready for a high workload this early?
DT: "A combination of both. I've been working my tail off from this past season through the draft process to when I first got here. I've just been working to take advantage of every opportunity that I'm given. Just me having that mindset and knowing I wouldn't be here without God. And God put me in this position to do this. I'm right where he wanted me to be at. Of course I have to go out there on the field and make those plays, but God had this plan for me written out way before I was born."
Head inside Intermountain Health Performance Center to view photos from Thursday's 2025 Training Camp practice.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders offensive quality control coach Kyle Fuller, defensive assistant Rip Rowan and run game coordinator/offensive line coach Brennan Carroll on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders guard Caleb Rogers (76) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Collin Johnson (17) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kyle Philips (15) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Pat Conroy (86) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Qadir Ismail (84) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tackle DJ Glaze (71) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Jamal Adams (33) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Amari Gainer (53) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Matt Jones (42) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tank Booker (73) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Keondre Coburn (75) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) leads a huddle on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) leads a huddle on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Devin White (45) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jack Bech (18) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders offensive quality control coach Conner McQueen on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tackle Gottlieb Ayedze (72) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tackle Charles Grant (60) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders center Jarrod Hufford (64) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tommy Mellott (19) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Seth Williams (83) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Collin Johnson (17) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kyle Philips (15) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman (81) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Justin Shorter (88) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (10) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Shedrick Jackson (4) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Ketron Jackson Jr. (85) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Phillip Dorsett II (13) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback John Humphrey (39) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback John Humphrey (39) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darien Porter (26) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Sam Webb (27) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Thomas Harper (34) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive lineman Adam Butler (69) and center Will Putnam (67) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach Joe Woods on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (11) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Jakorian Bennett (0) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Trey Taylor (37) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders pass game coordinator/defensive backs coach Joe Woods on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Zach Carter (93), running back Zamir White (3) and linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) and tackle Gottlieb Ayedze (72) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (7) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Chris Collier (35) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (3) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker (1) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Lonnie Johnson Jr. (32) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Decamerion Richardson (25) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders safety JT Woods (40) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts (52) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Sincere McCormick (28) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) and quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders safety Jamal Adams (33), running back Zamir White (3) and safety JT Woods on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tackle Kolton Miller (74) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway (97) and guard Dylan Parham (66) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) and center Jackson Powers-Johnson (58) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Charles Snowden (49) and tackle Charles Grant (60) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders center Will Putnam (67) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Jahfari Harvey (91) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (98) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce (51) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Collin Johnson (17) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell (12) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Ian Thomas (80) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tackle Parker Clements (70) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Cam Miller (5) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Kyle Philips (15) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Dylan Laube (23) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) and tight end Justin Shorter (88) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Pete Carroll on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly (36) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders running back Chris Collier (35) and linebacker Cody Lindenberg (55) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.

Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Greedy Vance (41) and wide receiver Kyle Philips (15) on the field for practice at 2025 Training Camp at Intermountain Health Performance Center.