Scouting the Portal: Ajani Cornelius, Dominic Lovett, and More

Steven's Projection:

Nothing beats a reliable tackle off the edge and you don't need to look any further than how hot Cornelius' recruitment was for proof. He caught interest from over 16 schools the day he entered the portal and had the top programs in the nation competing for his commitment. He's got the size and foot quickness you want out of a starting tackle while having the opportunity to refine his technique at Rhode Island. I'd expect some growing pains in practice as he catches up to the physicality of the next level but he's a plug and play tackle that's going to make Oregon very happy this upcoming season.

Dominic Lovett - WR

2022 Team: Missouri

2023 Team: Georgia

Shows a slight frame with good arm length. Utilized at all different alignments/positions for Missouri. Displays good burst and very good initial quickness when the ball off the snap. Shows a good ability to get around press defenders by using a hard jab step. Once he is able to get to the edge of the defender, he uses his good burst to accelerate to his good top end speed to create separation. When running COD routes he uses his good foot quickness and suddenness to freeze defenders and get them flat footed before changing direction and reaccelerating to top speed. Shows soft hands and the ability to consistently catch away from his body. Adjust to catch passes that are outside of his framework. Displays good mental and physical toughness to elevate to catch passes over his head in the middle of the field while exposing himself to potential big hits. Able to take the top off a defense by creating separation through his burst and top end speed.

Adequate hip flexibility causing adequate YAC ability and inability to sink his hips at the break point of routes. Displays marginal play strength, unable to break tackles once defenders get their hands on him. Overall, he is a highly productive receiver that has reliable hands and the speed/suddenness to create the separation he needs for QBs to throw the ball to him. Not a player to be relied upon to create YAC due to his hip flexibility making it hard for him to change direction. Has recently committed to Georgia where he will be able to have an immediate impact.

Steven's Projection:

Currently the top WR who hit the portal and I don't see anyone taking that throne from him- there's not much he can't do. This move is likely all business as he looks to win in the post-season and use UGA's history of sending players to the NFL to prepare him for the next level. Missouri used him everywhere on the field but he'll thrive as a slot receiver and opens up play calls where he's the first read. I expect him to pick up right where he left off at Missouri and wouldn't be surprised to see him push for a thousand-yard season.

Dont'e Thornton - WR

2022 Team: Oregon

2023 Team: Undecided

Elite height, frame and length with good muscle definition throughout. Shows a solid burst into his route stem at the snap. Utilizes good foot quickness to freeze defenders at the route break point and shows good hands with his ability to catch out and away from his body, while also being able to adjust to passes thrown outside of his framework. When pushing a deep route down the field he creates his separation by opening up his stride and reaching his good top end speed. Once he creates his separation on the deep ball, he uses his good body control and ability to adjust while also showing good deep ball tracking to secure the catch for a big gain. For screens and crossing routes, he shows the ability to create YAC through his solid lateral agility, burst, and good foot quickness to freeze defenders and make them miss. Shows a willingness to block in run blocking and receiver screen situation with solid hand timing and placement.

Shows marginal hip flexibility when not able to sink his hips into the route break point and when attempting to change direction. Shows adequate mental and physical toughness when having to make catches across the middle of the field; looks tense and as if he is trying to avoid contact. Displays adequate play strength in his inability to sustain blocks due to his adequate grip strength and his adequate ability to break tackles when attempting to fight for extra yards. The mix of his size, length, and athleticism allow him to be a mismatch all over the field. He will be an impact player immediately with whatever team he chooses to go to.

Steven's Projection:

If you described the ideal-looking receiver you'd be describing Thorton. His physical gifts are impossible to ignore and there's nothing from his film or otherwise that suggests issues with his mental processing or competitive toughness. I'd expect a breakout season for him no matter where he is as long as he can get a grasp on the playbook quickly. This is the type of receiver NFL scouts have their eye on from the day he steps on campus as a freshman. Rumors are circulating his top four are Miami, Penn State, Auburn, and Tennessee. With Cristobal having recruited him to Oregon I'd expect them to be firm front-runners with his commitment theirs to lose. Should be a slower recruitment as he looks to finish his OVs in January which gives these teams or even a new contender plenty of time to make their case.

Denver Harris - CB

2022 Team: Texas A&M

2023 Team: LSU

Lean frame with good height and length. Displays good muscle definition in his upper half and broad shoulders. Primarily aligns in press man on the outside. Shows patience at the snap to not over extend and reach when getting hands on the receiver. Utilizes his good foot quickness and patience to stay square with the receiver until the receiver closes the gap between them then shoots his hands. When the receiver becomes even with him, he utilizes his fluid hips to flip to the side of where the receiver is going and remain in phase just off the receiver's hip. Displays solid burst and top end speed with receivers when attempting to mirror their route. Shows good hip flexibility and COD to drop his hips and mirror the receivers break against high COD routes. Good ability to create pass breakups by playing through the receiver's hands due to his strong punch, long arms, and good timing to punch through the hands right when the ball arrives.

Adequate closing speed, receivers can create separation when he is unable to get his hands on the receiver. When staying in phase with receivers on the deep route, he refuses to turn his head around for the ball which allows for receivers that flash their hands late to make tough catches over him. Played in 5 games for the Texas A&M Aggies as a True Freshman and flashed good abilities, while also displaying some deficiencies that could be a result of lack of experience and coaching. Still has a lot of time to mature and refine his abilities, which is why it is not surprising that LSU recruited and took his commitment.

Steven's Projection:

More raw prospect than you would usually be focused on in the portal but LSU essentially gets a 5* high school prospect here that they can develop for a year if needed. LSU's defensive back room saw a significant amount of transfer exits and you can never have too many corners. He's only one year removed from an excellent high school career and his potential is through the roof- if the transfer was because of disagreements at TAMU and not due to character concerns I'd expect him to be a cornerstone of the LSU defense for years to come with the potential to be an All-American by his senior year.