Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney is extremely high on true freshman offensive lineman Elyjah Thurmon, calling him a “rare jewel” with the ability to play anywhere along the offensive line. Swinney praised Thurmon’s versatility and talent, noting that he’s the kind of player who could contribute at all five positions up front. “He is truly a kid that can play all five positions, and he’s done that. He played center in high school, he’s played guard, he’s played left tackle, right tackle,” Swinney said. “We got us one right there, man — love this kid.”
Thurmon, a 6-foot-4, 310-pound lineman from Georgia, made his college debut against Appalachian State, playing 31 snaps. Swinney mentioned that Thurmon’s physical ability was never in question, and the main concern was how quickly he could mentally adjust to the college game. So far, Thurmon has proven he’s up to the challenge. “He’s very smart. Really the game comes naturally to him. He’s athletic, he’s big and strong. Way ahead of what a typical freshman is,” Swinney added. While Clemson’s depth allows the coaching staff to bring Thurmon along at a steady pace, Swinney suggested that in another year, Thurmon would likely already be starting for the Tigers.
Thurmon’s background as a multi-sport athlete in high school, where he competed in football, basketball, and track, has helped mold him into a versatile player. He also earned honors such as Under Armour All-America and Polynesian Bowl selections. Swinney explained that while they haven’t asked him to play center at Clemson yet, he believes it’s only a matter of time before Thurmon takes reps at that position, too. “He really, truly can be a kid that at some point could probably start at five different positions. He’s that strong, he’s that athletic, he’s that smart,” Swinney said.
Swinney remains excited about Thurmon’s future, emphasizing how important the game is to him and his incredible work ethic. “He’s going to really be a good football player. I think it’s very important to him. He’s physical. All you’ve got to do is watch him run. Like I said, he runs a lot of times like a D-lineman, and he’s really athletic,” Swinney said. With all the tools and versatility to excel, Thurmon is on track to become a key piece of Clemson’s offensive line for years to come.