Southern Arkansas University Athletics

It was only fitting that the Muleriders signed Arkansas Delta product Cedric Thornton out of Star City because by the time his run ended in Magnolia, the relentless defender had become a star destined for a successful career in the National Football League. 

A member of the D2Football.com All-Decade Second Team, Thornton's successes in Mulerider Country included him spending a majority of his time in the opponent's backfield. The defensive lineman recorded 50 career tackles for loss totaling 156 yards to go along with thirteen quarterback hurries and a dozen career sacks; numbers that catapulted him into the upper echelon of defenders that wore the Blue and Gold. 

As a senior in his final season of 2010, Thornton, whose motor continually ran hot, recorded 52 total tackles with 13.0 tackles for loss totaling 35 yards and five quarterback hurries in eight games played. That season, Thornton was named a first-team All-Gulf South Conference performer in addition to earning a pair of all-region nods and a pair of all-America honors. 

The year prior, Thornton was named a consensus first-team All-America honoree following a season highlighted by an impressive 23.0 tackles for loss as part of 80 total tackles and 8.5 sacks (7th All-Time). Thornton currently ranks sixth all-time in program history with 12.0 total sacks.

As a professional, Thornton spent his first five seasons (four active) with the Eagles after joining the franchise as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He followed with one season as a member of the Dallas Cowboys, one year with the Buffalo Bills and a short stint with the San Francisco 49ers. In 89 career games at the highest level of professional football, the Arkansan made 48 starts and recorded 220 career tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, a touchdown and a safety.