TE Jelani Thurman Commits to Ohio State

Jelani Thurman is ranked as the 68th best overall player and 3rd best tight end in the country according to 247 sports. Thurman is a physical specimen standing at 6’5 230 lbs. The four-star recruits give Ohio State an even more loaded 2023 recruiting class which was already ranked 1st in the country. Thurman joins four-star recruit Ty Lockwood as the two tight ends that round out the 2023 class. Ohio State usually only gets one tight end per recruiting class, but they get two four stars for the 2023 class.

(1) Hayes Fawcett on Twitter: “BREAKING: Four-Star TE Jelani Thurman (@jelani3345) has Committed to Ohio State! The 6’6 230 TE from Fairburn, GA chose the Buckeyes over Michigan State, Alabama, and Auburn. More Here (FREE): https://t.co/Mj9PK4C92e https://t.co/r14pLH4BWf” / Twitter

Thurman is the best tight end Ohio State has recruited since Jeremy Ruckert in 2018 who was ranked 37th in the country coming out of high school. Jeremy Ruckert was just selected by the New York Jets in the 4th round of this year’s NFL draft. Both players have similar body types as Ruckert stands at 6’5 238 lbs. Thurman is very athletic for the tight end position and should be a match-up nightmare for BIG 10 linebackers. He is a very efficient run blocker and is elite at jump balls. Ohio State now has five pass catchers (WR and TE) that are ranked in the top 120 overall for 2023. 

(1) 》 on Twitter: “Haven’t been this excited about a TE prospect since Ruckert. Hopefully the TE usage goes up for Thurman. Very athletic, have to take advantage of the mismatched he’ll create going up against slow BIG 10 LB’s.” / Twitter

Tight Ends at Ohio State

In the past Ohio State hasn’t utilized its tight end in the passing game. Ruckert was the highest recruited tight end Ohio State has had since 2003. Ruckert was very good overall for Ohio State but only had 54 catches for 615 yards and 12 touchdowns in 26 games spanning four seasons. Ohio State just simply hasn’t heavily involved their tight ends in the passing game. Thurman could be the guy that finally changes that stigma at Ohio State. He is talented and athletic enough to put up some good numbers when he gets to Ohio State. It is on the coaching staff to develop him and get the tight ends more involved in the offense. With Lockwood and Thurman, Ohio State can have a two-headed monster at tight end in a few years.