New receiver has blazing speed and a plan to bulk up

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The requests have come to a screeching halt.

Because of his blistering speed, Tyquan Thornton used to get asked to race all the time as challengers wanted to measure up to the receiver.

Then the former Baylor star scorched the field at the NFL combine with a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash, and his phone stopped pinging as much.

“A lot of guys asked to race, but not after that 4.2,” the Patriots rookie said with a huge smile Tuesday just after the club wrapped up a subdued OTA session that lasted just over an hour.

Thornton’s combine time isn’t the only measurable that has drawn attention. His wrists were measured at 6 inches, the smallest of all the participants in Indianapolis.

When asked about his wrists, Thornton held up his arms and seemed perplexed by the hubbub.

“Skinny wrists? I mean, what are you using for your wrists for?” he said through a muffled chuckle. “That was new to me.”

Thornton’s size — he is listed at 6-foot-2 and a generous 182 pounds — has never prevented him from excelling on the football field. In 42 games at Baylor he made 143 catches for 2,242 yards and 19 touchdowns.

Thornton will need to bulk up to withstand the rigors of NFL life, where winning 50-50 balls is imperative. He acknowledged that gaining some weight is on the offseason itinerary.

“It’s a process coming in every day,” he said. “Just trying to work and get better, making strides every day.”

Thornton doesn’t envision himself transforming his body too much, however.

“Just staying true to myself,” he said of his new caloric intake. “Always look at myself in the mirror. You know, this is my body type. This is my frame.

“I don’t see myself being 225 pounds. Been thin all my life. Just getting stronger in the weight room, building my muscles so I can have that fast twitch.”

Notes: There was an emphasis on conditioning, with a heavy set of wind sprints and suicides of varying lengths. There was a group on each of the two upper fields, while veterans Devin Mccourty, Matthew Slater, Nick Folk, Brian Hoyer, and Cody Davis did their work together between the fields.

Those not spotted included receiver N’keal Harry; running back James White; offensive linemen Trent Brown, Isaiah Wynn, Chasen Hines, and Andrew Stueber; linebackers Matthew Judon and Anfernee Jennings; defensive tackles Davon Godchaux and Byron Cowart; and kicker Quinn Nordin.