The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Thornton signs as a free agent with hometown Cowboys
04.30.2004 | Football
DALLAS -- University of Texas defensive end Kalen Thornton became the second Longhorn player to earn a shot at playing for his hometown NFL team. The Dallas native and St. Mark's High School graduate has agreed to terms as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys and is participating in the team's first rookie mini-camp Friday through Sunday morning at Valley Ranch.
Thornton joins former Longhorn teammate Sloan Thomas (Houston, Texas/Klein HS), a seventh-round draft pick of the Houston Texan on Sunday, as UT players competing for a spot on their NFL hometown teams' rosters.
Thornton is one of 20 rookies who arrived at Cowboys headquarters Thursday for orientation and a tour of their new facilities. Today, they will undergo physicals, take mug shots and, for the free agents, sign their contracts.
A four-year lettermen and four-year starter for the Longhorns, Thornton earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors in 2003. He played in 46 career games, starting 35, and registered 155 tackles, 14 sacks and 75 pressures. In his final game in the Holiday Bowl, Thornton matched a career-high with 10 tackles.
Thornton also was a two-time Academic All-District VI selection and two-time second-team Academic All-Big 12 choice.
Thornton joins B.J. Johnson (Denver Broncos), Cullen Loeffler (Minnesota Vikings), and Brock Edwards (San Diego Chargers) as Longhorns agreeing to terms as a free agent this week.
