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- Thread starter LordJeffBuck
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
“I think they came to Ohio State knowing that everyone's a competitor, everyone came here to be a first-rounder and whatnot. I don't think there's any waiting your time,” Bailey said at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on May 30. “I don't ever want to coach someone who's patient. So I hope they're all hungry to get on the field right now. I mean, Cade (Stover) could be sitting right here and I'd tell Pat Gurd or Jelani (Thurman), 'Hey, go take his job. That's why we're at Ohio State.' So I wouldn't tell them to be patient. But to answer your question, when you're surrounded by elite people every day, it's pretty hard not to be hungry.”
It won’t be long before fans begin clamoring to see Thurman, a four-star freshman who already measures in at 6-foot-6, 253 pounds, get his chance. But the amount of playing time he receives early in his Ohio State career depends mostly on the extent to which he can prove he’s earned it.
"HE'S GOT ENOUGH TALENT, BUT NOW IT'S THE SKILL AND DISCIPLINE. WHEN YOU PUT ALL THOSE TOGETHER, IT'LL BE FUN.”– KEENAN BAILEY ON JELANI THURMAN
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Jelani Thurman makes waves early at Ohio State with work ethic, not just physical abilities
When Ohio State began spring practice in March, there were three players that clearly stood out to anyone watching. One was sophomore Sonny Styles, who had changed to No. 6 on his practice jersey but still, at 6-foot-4, was recognizable by the way he towered above the rest of the safety group. There was also Davison Igbinosun, the Ole Miss transfer, who many mistook as Styles because he stands at 6-foot-2, the tallest cornerback on the roster, and wore the safety's old No. 20.Then there was tight end Jelani Thurman, a freshman early enrollee who looked anything but a kid that should be preparing for senior prom and graduation parties. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 253 pounds, Thurman is tied for the second-tallest player on the roster and weighs more than any other player who isn't an offensive or defensive lineman. When Thurman, a Fairburn, Georgia native, visited Buckeye practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium ahead of the College Football Playoff semifinal in December, it was easy to mistake him for a current Scarlet and Gray player watching from the sideline in street clothes.
Thurman has no problem looking the part of a college football player. He is big and athletic. He's one of the players you want coming off the bus first to intimidate an opponent.
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Keinholz is super smart to make chemistry with this dude a priority. He's a serious beast already
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Freshman Tracker: Malik Hartford Starts, Carnell Tate Extends His Catch Streak, Lincoln Kienholz Debuts and 13 Freshmen Play Against Michigan State
Malik Hartford gets his second start and plays a team-high 49 defensive snaps, Lincoln Kienholz plays for the first time and Carnell Tate continues his reception streak.
Jelani Thurman was on the receiving end of Kienholz's two completions, marking the first receptions of the tight end's career. Thurman was also an upback for Ohio State's last punt of the game. Pro Football Focus graded the talented tight end with a high grade of 88.9.
Thurman is a large human with soft hands who likes to run people over when blocking or running with the ball. He will be a weapon for Ohio State in the coming years.
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BuckBackHome
Wolverine is largest member of weasel family
Good luck (said to the opponents).
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- On what comes to mind on Jelani Thurman: “Big. That’s a big-ass little kid right there. He looks the part and he’s getting more mature every day. He has a bright future.”
Quick Hits: Kyle McCord is “Spoiled” With Talent Around Him, Parker Fleming Acknowledges Mistakes Made on Special Teams and Sonny Styles Says Ohio State's Stretch Run is “About Us”
Kyle McCord says he's “spoiled” with talent around him, Parker Fleming sees good and bad in Ohio State's special teams and Matt Jones is glad he returned for a sixth year.
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