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TE Jelani Thurman (Official Thread)

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pnuts34 said:
And to piggy back what you all said, all the TE stats won’t matter if the guy can’t block. OSU could care less about Pitts type TEs, because they’re not used like WRs. As good as Stover has been, he’s still used primarily as a blocker, but he’s made some great plays to make it seem like OSU has used him a lot.
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Yep. Give me 100 Stovers any day.
 
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THURMAN ATTENDS OSU PRACTICE WEDNESDAY

One of Ohio State’s 2023 signees was present for the Buckeyes’ practice at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday. Four-star tight end Jelani Thurman made the 20-mile trek from his hometown of Fairburn, Georgia, to watch his future collegiate team prepare for its upcoming Peach Bowl matchup against Georiga. Sadly, Thurman was not sporting his famous Spider-Man costume, though.

Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...or-college-coaches-at-two-sessions-in-january
 
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BETTER KNOW A BUCKEYE: JELANI THURMAN HAS THE SIZE, VERSATILITY AND UPSIDE TO DEVELOP INTO THE NEXT GREAT TIGHT END AT OHIO STATE​

IMMEDIATE IMPACT​

It takes something special for a freshman tight end to play significant, non-garbage time plays as a freshman. Ohio State expects its tight ends to be able to block opposing defensive ends and run routes like a receiver, which is a tough transition for any player coming out of high school.

Even with Thurman already having college-ready size, he is still a raw talent, especially as a blocker. Learning the playbook, both in the run game and the pass game, also takes time. So while Thurman has drawn rave reviews for both his on-field performance and off-field work ethic since he arrived at Ohio State, it’s still unlikely he will play a major role in year one.

His first year as a Buckeye will consist of adding muscle to his already elite size, learning how to be a good run blocker and adding to his repertoire as a receiver, which is already his best skill.

He's already trying his best to maximize his skill set and size early on, as the early enrollee has been one of the first players in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and one of the last ones to leave each day.

"The best thing he’s done is his off-the-field habits," tight ends coach Keenan Bailey said last week. "I mean, Jelani and Carnell Tate are two of the first guys in here every day. Every day. And I go into my office at the end of the night and Jelani’s in there with our GA Sean Binckes, who’s one heck of a coach, and they’re going over tomorrow’s script or they’re watching film, learning new things. So yes, he’s a big, physical, athletic dude. And he loves football. But the best thing Jelani’s been doing is off-the-field habits.

"So every day, he’s gotten better. And that hasn’t been a coincidence. He spends more time in here at night with Sean Binckes than anybody. Yeah, really impressed."

LONG-TERM IMPACT​

Becoming a dominant tight end at the college level is tough. One must be able to block like an offensive tackle and catch passes like a wide receiver and be able to do so every other play when called upon. While it will take time, much like other tight ends that have come through Ohio State, Thurman has the size, tools, versatility, and athleticism to be the Buckeyes' next great tight end.

"It's hard to tell early on, but he has all the tools," Day said in March. "Tight end is a developmental position. There’s a lot that goes on with tight ends. I mean, you’re talking about, you got protection, you got blocking, you got route-running, I mean, there’s a lot going on on day one for a tight end. But all the tools are there."

Everything seems to be aligning for Thurman to be another major weapon in Ohio State's offense in the future. With Cade Stover entering his final season as a Buckeye, Thurman could have a chance to fight for the starting job as a sophomore.

Even if he isn’t the starter in 2024, he could still see substantial playing time when the Buckeyes utilize multi-tight end sets.

"We need to continue to develop that room," Day said on April 1. "12 personnel has been very, very important to us, and it has to continue to be moving forward. So finding three tight ends in the room that we feel confident putting in the game is something that we really gotta do a good job of building the power of the unit in that room. And I think those guys are putting in days. They’re out here every day and they’re grinding, they’re getting better. And you can feel that, but that’ll be very important to the success of the offense."
 
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