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In the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Florida St. OLB-DE Bjoern Werner in an effort to upgrade their pass rush.
With their next pick, No. 86 overall in the third round, they opted to beef up their offensive line, going with offensive guard Hugh Thornton from Illinois.
Offensive line was considered a big need coming into this draft for Indianapolis. G.M. Ryan Grigson spent big money on free agent right tackle Gosder Cherilus and guard Donald Thomas, but reserve guards Mike McGlynn, Joe Reitz, and Jeff Linkenbach simply weren't consistent in 2012.
Enter, Hugh Thornton.
Thornton is a massive interior lineman, measuring 6'3, 320 lb. He played left tackle at Illinois his senior year in 2012, but is projected as a guard at the NFL level. He had 27 reps on the bench press at the NFL Scouting Combine this year.
Thornton has also had to overcome some serious tragedy in his life. In 2004, he found his mother and sister murdered while visiting them in Jamaica over Christmas break. He was then reportedly abused by his father while living with him in Idaho. Thornton eventually moved away from his father to Ohio.
Despite all the hardship, he's now an NFL player.
Congratulations Hugh Thornton. Welcome to the Colts!