4-star TE Jelani Thurman commits to Ohio State
Fairburn (Ga.) Langston Hughes four-star tight end Jelani Thurman said Ohio State is getting the talent needed to win a national championship.
He wants to be a part of the program.
“Ohio State is a winning program in a winning environment,” Thurman told On3. “You feel that from the minute you get there. That is what got me.”
Thurman joins the No. 2 recruiting class in the 2023 On3 Consensus Team Recruiting Ranking. The wideouts are the Chicago IMG Academy five-star wide receiver Carnell Tate, Miami Gardens (Fla.) American Heritage five-star wide receiver Brandon Inniss, Rolesville (N.C.) four-star wide receiver Noah Rogers and Zephyrhills (Fla.) Wiregrass Ranch four-star wide receiver Bryson Rodgers.
He said playing with players like that — and the wideouts they already have on the roster — will give him ample opportunities.
“Ohio State has threats all over the field,” Thurman said. “With all the top guys at wide receiver, it is going to open things up for me at tight end. I will create mismatches and make a lot of plays. There will be players all over the field when I get there.”
Ohio State also has a commitment from Thompson’s Station (Tenn.) Independence four-star tight end Ty Lockwood.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Bear Alexander commits
Former Georgia, USC defensive lineman makes the call
- 2Hot
Nick Saban
Fed up, calling for change
- 3
Shane Gillis
Comedian trolls Nick Saban, SEC
- 4Trending
Desmond Howard
CGD host calls out Ryan Day
- 5
Steve Sarkisian
Texas HC rails on portal window
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
“Kevin Wilson recruited me hard,” Thurman said. “I would hear from him every other day. He was always talking about Ohio State, Ohio State football, and how they could use me. He is a great guy and he is a fun coach to talk to.”
Thurman is the son of Odell Thurman and Kara Braxton, two former athletes at Georgia. Odell Thurman played football for the Bulldogs and played in the NFL.
Braxton played basketball at Georgia where she averaged over 15 points per game. After giving birth to Jelani Thurman in early 2005, she was drafted into the WNBA and made an All-Star team in 2007.
Jelani Thurman plans to play also play basketball at Ohio State.
“It is a cool place outside of football too,” Thurman said. “I saw downtown, I learned about the city, and I chilled with some of the players, and it felt like home. The players made it easy to fit in and feel at home.”