2023 West Virginia Cornerback Target Bryce Thornton Off to a Fast Start in Junior Season

Milton High School ran roughshod over Hapeville Charter last Friday, running out to a season-opening 45-0 victory.

The offensive explosion experienced Friday would typically center around a stellar offensive performance, and while Milton’s offense scored enough points to dominated Hapeville, a certain defender made his impact on the game felt in a big way.

2023 three-star Milton cornerback Bryce Thornton picked off two passes Friday, including one returned for a touchdown, in his first game as a junior this season. If Thornton were to imagine a better start to his upperclassman years, he’d have been hard-pressed to do it any better.

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— Milton High School Football (@MiltonEagles_FB) August 22, 2021

Thornton (5-foot-10, 185 pounds) has received a number of offers from major Power Five schools, including Georgia, Miami (Fl.), Ole Miss, Oregon and West Virginia. He’s also received interest from Alabama and LSU as well. A fast-rising junior, he will likely continue to draw offers with a strong start to the season.

The offer from WVU came earlier this month, following a good phone call with WVU special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach Jeff Koonz — Thornton’s first contact with WVU so far.

I’m honored to receive an offer from West Virginia University #Mountaineers@On3Recruits @MiltonEagles_FB @coachclack23 @CoachNaldo @WVUfootball @ChadSimmons_ pic.twitter.com/GPUMLwRid3

— BRYCE THORNTON (@brycethornton11) August 10, 2021

Koonz and Thornton shared a “good” phone call, with the pair discussing the Morgantown campus and the rising WVU football program. Thornton was “really excited” to actually receive the offer from WVU.

While he’s still pretty out from his college decision, and in the midst of his junior season at Milton, he said WVU is definitely a contender for his commitment at this point. However, he’s unsure if he’ll be making a visit out to Morgantown for an official visit or camp yet.

While Rivals hasn’t rated Thornton’s national, positional or state level rankings yet, and 247Sports hasn’t made a page for him yet, he’s likely to rise in the rankings following his excellent start to his junior season.

Milton will play North Cobb High School Friday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. in a big in-state match-up in their second game this season.