IU adds 3-star receiver

IU football added a fourth member to its 2015 recruiting class Wednesday with commitment from three-star receiver Leon Thornton.

The Lombard, Ill., native committed to the Hoosiers while on a visit in Bloomington.

Thornton chose IU rather than offers from Illinois, Cincinnati, Connecticut and Iowa State, according to Rivals.com.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Thornton is ranked No. 60 at wide receiver in the nation, and he is the No. 11 ranked player in the state of Illinois by Rivals.com.

During his junior season at Montini Catholic High School, Thornton caught 54 passes for 970 yards and 13 touchdowns.

IU’s receiving corps has been a vital part of IU Coach Kevin Wilson’s offense.

Last season, IU threw for 306.7 yards per game.

With three of IU’s top four targets either graduating or leaving for the NFL after the past season, IU will likely be looking to establish new options at receiver in the upcoming seasons.

Thornton becomes the fourth commitment in the 2015 class, all of which have been ranked three-stars by Rivals.com.

He’s also the third three-star receiver or better to commit in the most recent two recruiting classes.

He joins four-star wide out Dominique Booth and three-star receiver J-Shun Harris from 2014’s class.

Sam Beishuizen