Burnsville's Michael Thornton To Go JC Route

Michael Thornton, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound offensive tackle from Burnsville (MN) High who attended the Ohio State and Colorado State games and had received interest from the Gopher coaches as a potential walk-on, will go the junior college route. Thornton helped lead the Blaze to a 5-4 mark. They were upset in the Section 2 first-round playoffs by Edina. Thornton has gotten interest from several Midwest schools, but academic issues forced him to go the JC route.

Michael Thornton said that he heard from schools such as Iowa State, Minnesota, South Dakota State, Wyoming, Wisconsin and Northern Iowa. However, due to his academics, Thornton will attend North Dakota School of Science (ND) CC.

"My grades got the better of me," he said.

Thornton had heard from the Gophers.

"I talked to Vic Adamle about walking-on at Minnesota."

Thornton said that North Dakota School of Science showed him plenty of interest.

"They gave me the highest scholarship amount that they can give out. They will help me graduate in 18 months, which will make me more desireable," he said.

Thornton benefitted this season from the coaching of former Minnesota Viking lineman David Dixon, who served as a volunteer coach this season. Thornton served as one of the team's captains this season.

Thornton will see some familiar faces at North Dakota School of Science next season when he is joined by Burnsville teammates Benni Fuller, a 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive lineman and Kameron Johnson, a 5-foot-11, 225-pound defensive lineman.

"They asked me if I knew anyone who might be interested in playing and I told them about those two," Thornton said.