Ohio State '23 GA TE (RS FR) - Jelani Thurman

2023 TE signee Jelani Thurman was at Ohio State practice this morning. pic.twitter.com/TU5mifV2sv

— Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) December 29, 2022

 

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.

The 6-foot-5, 230-pound tight end is expected to be an early enrollee at OSU this winter, but will first play in the Under Armour All-America game on Tuesday. In Thurman’s senior season, he helped lead Langston Hughes (Fairburn, Georgia) to a perfect 15-0 record with 39 catches for 624 yards with 13 receiving touchdowns.

 

If you wanna know where I am. I’m in the lab

— Jelani Thurman (@jelani3345) January 9, 2023

 

.@DaSchott @jelani3345 _ ✍️🌰 pic.twitter.com/sKvcm1DS1L

— THE Foundation (@TheFoundation1_) January 11, 2023

 

You ready for @jelani3345 on @OhioStateHoops. 👀🌰 pic.twitter.com/PN0NXCivzk

— THE Foundation (@TheFoundation1_) January 11, 2023

 

Announcing our student athlete partner @jelani3345. We’re excited to see his future with @OhioStateFB on and off the field! pic.twitter.com/K5Hl2rAnB7

— THE Foundation (@TheFoundation1_) January 12, 2023

 

Freshman TE Jelani Thurman definitely has some size on him at 6-6, 253 pic.twitter.com/avqsiYe6cV

— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) March 7, 2023

 

• Day says Jelani Thurman just "needs a ton of reps" but that "all the tools are there."

 

Ohio State quarterback Devin Brown completes a pass to tight end Jelani Thurman on the far sideline during the Buckeyes' practice Saturday. pic.twitter.com/HLCbGQh7dl

— Lantern Sports (@LanternSports) April 1, 2023

 

JELANI THURMAN
Thurman’s 6-foot-6, 253-pound frame alone jumps off the field as a freshman, but after making a couple of plays as a pass catcher in last week’s scrimmage, the first-year tight end was much more active on offense Saturday.

In Ohio State’s red-zone pass drill, Thurman pulled down a pass from Brown in double coverage in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. The four-star recruit continued to catch passes from both Brown and McCord for decent gains during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11, running with the second-team unit on offense.

Thurman showed off his physicality on a third-down reception in the latter half of practice in which he lowered his shoulder to seek contact against Hancock, although he didn’t move the sticks with the catch.

Ohio State already has several veteran tight ends ahead of Thurman on the depth chart with Cade Stover, Scott and Royer. But after practice, Day emphasized the Buckeyes’ desire to utilize 12 personnel in 2023, which could help open the door for Thurman to earn reps as a freshman.

 

Freshman tight ends usually don’t play much at Ohio State, but Jelani Thurman is giving himself a chance with his performance both on and off the field this spring. https://t.co/JTdDkjvT9M

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 7, 2023

 

🚨 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐄 𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐓 🚨

the TE room just got better. welcome to the brotherhood, @jelani3345❗️#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/ADtuwjrSqW

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 7, 2023

 

Buckeyes true freshman tight end Jelani Thurman loses black stripehttps://t.co/csUGsDLcoL

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) April 7, 2023

 

Freshman tight end Jelani Thurman becomes the second member of the class of 2023 to shed his black stripe with the Buckeyes. https://t.co/PDjmF0UQxj

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) April 7, 2023