Paul Thornton

Position:
Linebacker
Height:
6-3
Weight:
225
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Katy, Texas
High School:
Katy

Career: Graduated from Duke in December, 2008 with a degree in history ...four-year member of the Duke football program, lettering as a senior.

2008: Reserve outside linebacker.

2007: Did not see game action.

2006: Did not see game action.

2005: Did not see game action.

Prior to Duke: Three-year letterman at Katy under Gary Joseph and Mike Johnson ... charted as the 64th-top outside linebacker in the nation by Rivals.com ... all-region selection by Prep Star magazine ... tabbed one of the top 100 players in Texas by the Houston Chronicle ... as a senior, co-captained Katy to a 12-2 record and state playoff berth by registering 111 tackles and six sacks ... received first team All-Greater Houston and honorable mention all-state accolades ... finalist for the Houston Touchdown Club’s Defensive Player of the Year award ... in junior campaign, picked up 116 total tackles, eight sacks and one interception as Katy went 15-1 and captured the state championship ... two-time first team all-district selection ... helped high school team to three-year record of 38-7 ... finished career with 227 tackles, 14 sacks, three interceptions and a pair of blocked kicks ... also an all-district choice in track and field in the discus competition.

Personal: Son of Bodley and Karen Thornton ... grandfather, Ben Boehnke, played football at North Texas State (1954-56) and coached at Blinn Junior College (1963-90) ... born November 29, 1986.