Shemar Thornton, Northern Illinois Football News: Draft Scout Player News

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08/09/22 - WR Shemar Thornton, rSr/2023, Northern Illinois

It wasn't just the cold that led to a bit of a culture shock when Shemar Thornton transferred to Northern Illinois University from Florida International in January. The senior wide receiver said it was a whole different environment, more team-oriented than he had experienced, and it took until a trip home in May for things to be put in perspective. "It was my first time being away from home for a while," said Thornton, who played high school football in Florida. "I had to get used to that, just being outside of my comfort zone. When I went home in May, I had a talk with my mom and she said, 'It's your last time really in college ball. So give it your all and leave nothing on the field."

Throughout summer workouts, NIU head coach Thomas Hammock said Thornton's attitude and work ethic noticeably have improved. "When he first got here, it was a bit of a culture shock as far as our standard of work and our standard of expectations," Hammock said. "He went home after semester, got his mind right, and he's come back this summer and really attacked it. It's been fun to see. Obviously he's a tremendous player, great route runner, tremendous hands. He gives us a chance to be very dynamic at the wide receiver position." NIU wide receivers coach Joseph Hawkins, who came on board with the Huskies in April, was a graduate assistant at FIU in 2019, Thornton's best year. He caught 51 passes for 668 yards. "Shemar has been doing a phenomenal job," Hawkins said. "His growth from when he first got here until now has been unbelievable. Me and Shemar have a connection...Seeing him here and watching him progress is nothing but amazing." - DeKalb Daily Chronicle

rSr/2023