Only two tight ends are among the top 100 prospects in the composite rankings for the recruiting class of 2023, and one just signed with Ohio State.
The second-ranked tight end and No. 99 overall prospect in 247Sports’ composite rankings for 2023, Jelani Thurman is the highest-ranked tight end (not including Gee Scott Jr., who was initially recruited to play wide receiver) to sign with Ohio State since Jeremy Ruckert in 2018.
As physically gifted as any tight end in the 2023 class, Thurman will give the Buckeyes reason to continue utilizing the tight end in the passing game more frequently in the future as they have with Cade Stover this season.
He leaps tall buildings and moves immovable objects. The Buckeyes next hero will trade in his spidey suit for the scarlet and grey. The kid from Michigan is coming to Columbus to use his powers with the good guys. Welcome to The Brotherhood Jelani Thurman#CHO23N | @jelani3345 pic.twitter.com/b4i81beS0u
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 21, 2022
At 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Thurman has receiver-like athleticism and natural pass-catching ability. He lined up everywhere, from in-line tight end to wide receiver to the backfield at Langston Hughes High School (Fairburn, Georgia) and could be used similarly as a versatile chess piece for the Buckeyes.
Like many tight ends, Thurman was also a high school basketball star, which shows in his game as he demonstrates an excellent ability to play jump balls in the air and box out defenders.
While Thurman committed to the Buckeyes in July, Ohio State had to continue recruiting him up until signing day, as Thurman made numerous visits to Auburn this fall as the Tigers made a push to flip him. That said, Thurman held true to his commitment, becoming the lone tight end in Ohio State’s 2023 class after Ty Lockwood flipped to Alabama in August.
“He wanted to play for one of the best teams in the country,” Langston Hughes coach Daniel Williams told Eleven Warriors in September about Thurman’s decision to play for Ohio State. “He wanted to go somewhere where he knows he’s going to get an opportunity to go to the next level.”
The Thurman File
- Class: 2023
- Size: 6-5/230
- Pos: Tight end
- School: Langston Hughes (Fairburn, GA)
- Star Rating: ★★★★
- Composite Rank: #99 (#2 TE)
Thurman comes from a family of athletes, as his father Odell Thurman is a former NFL linebacker, while his mother Kara Braxton is a former WNBA player. He was recently ranked by 247Sports as the 33rd-”freakiest” athlete in the 2023 class.
He caught 39 passes for 624 yards and 13 touchdowns in his senior season as Langston Hughes won its first-ever state championship, which Thurman certainly played a big part in making happen.
“He’s such a mismatch,” Williams said. “A lot of times, we run the ball so well that they forget about him. He’s athletic and big enough to rebound the ball by himself on a jump ball. He just does so much.”
Tight end has typically been a position where players have needed at least one full year of development before they’re ready to play regular snaps at Ohio State. Thurman will likely need more growth as a blocker than a receiver. Still, he’s talented enough to push for early playing time – particularly if Cade Stover leaves for the NFL after this season – as he will immediately be one of the most talented receivers in the tight end room.
Long-term, Thurman has the potential to be a major weapon for the Buckeyes and someone who Ohio State will want to find ways to get the ball in his hands. As Keenan Bailey prepares to take over tight end coaching duties from Kevin Wilson, bringing in Thurman is a big win as it gives him a playmaker with tons of upside that he’ll have the opportunity to mold into a complete tight end over the next three to five years.
