Corey Thornton

Last updated
Corey Thornton
No. 31 – Carolina Panthers
Position: Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (2001-01-30) January 30, 2001 (age 24) [1]
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Booker T. Washington
(Miami, Florida)
College: UCF (2020–2023)
Louisville (2024)
NFL draft: 2025: undrafted
Career history
Roster status:Active
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Corey Thornton (born January 30, 2001) is an American professional football cornerback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCF Knights and Louisville Cardinals and was signed by the Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2025.

Contents

Early life

Thornton is from Miami, Florida. [2] He attended Booker T. Washington Senior High School in Miami where he played football, helping them win the state 4A championship in 2019. [3] A three-star recruit, he committed to play college football for the UCF Knights. [3]

As a freshman at UCF in 2020, Thornton started all 10 games at cornerback and recorded 30 tackles and an interception. [2] He then appeared in 12 games, recording 32 tackles, 2.5 tackles-for-loss and six pass breakups in 2021. [2] In 2022, he played in 14 games and finished with 50 tackles and a team-leading seven pass breakups; he was named third-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) by Pro Football Focus (PFF) both years. [2] He then totaled 27 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass breakups during the 2023 season, before announcing a transfer to the Louisville Cardinals for his final year in 2024. [3] With the Cardinals, Thornton started 13 games and made 38 tackles, two interceptions and nine pass breakups, being named honorable mention All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). [4] In 60 games played at UCF and Louisville, he finished with 177 tackles, six interceptions and 33 pass breakups. [4] At the conclusion of his collegiate career, he was invited to the East–West Shrine Bowl. [5]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+12 in
(1.84 m)
193 lb
(88 kg)
32+12 in
(0.83 m)
9+38 in
(0.24 m)
4.62 s1.57 s2.56 s4.29 s7.21 s32.5 in
(0.83 m)
10 ft 2 in
(3.10 m)
9 reps
All values from Pro Day [6] [7]

After going unselected in the 2025 NFL draft, Thornton signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent. [4] After impressing in preseason, he made the team's 53-man roster for the 2025 season. [8]

References

  1. "Corey Thornton" . Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Corey Thornton". UCF Knights.
  3. 1 2 3 McGavic, Matthew (December 15, 2023). "Former Alabama WR Ja'Corey Brooks, UCF CB Corey Thornton Commit to Louisville". Sports Illustrated .
  4. 1 2 3 McGavic, Matthew (April 26, 2025). "Report: Louisville CB Corey Thornton Signs UDFA Deal with Panthers". Sports Illustrated .
  5. Hill, Kassidy (August 13, 2025). "Corey Thornton making the most of his opportunities". Carolina Panthers.
  6. "Corey Thornton College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  7. "Corey Thornton RAS". RAS.Football. Retrieved September 1, 2025.
  8. Rizzuti, Anthony (August 26, 2025). "Report: Standout undrafted rookie to make Panthers' initial 53-man roster". USA Today .