Bradwell Institute’s “gentle giant” is also a soft-spoken one – and he’s keeping a big announcement quiet for a few more days.
Senior Elyjah Thurmon, who plays center in football and center in basketball, received his jersey for the upcoming Under Armour All-American football game, to be played January 3 in Orlando. Thurmon, who is 6-foot-4 and 285 pounds, is also one of the state’s top uncommitted prospects.
“It means a lot to me. It’s something I always wanted to be a part of,” Thurmon said of being chosen for the all-star game. “Now that I have an opportunity to be a part of it, I’m blessed.”
“He’s the consummate professional on and off the field,” said Tigers head football coach DeShon Brock. “The kid works really hard. He’s worked his butt off to have this opportunity.”
But the Tigers’ big man on the offensive line and in the paint is keeping where he is going to college under wraps – but his plans are now to sign on December 20 at Bradwell with his intended destination.
With the college football regular season complete, coaches are on the road checking in on prospects. Thurmon already has had a visit from one notable coach, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney. He has offers from Florida, LSU and Georgia Tech, among nearly two dozen programs.
Thurmon said the recruiting process started slowly for him. It has gained steam now.
“Once I started going to camps, it started to pick up a little bit,” he said. “It was a little overwhelming at first, because I was new to the scene.”
Brock noted that Thurmon was a relative unknown as a sophomore. But with his parents shepherding him to various camps, and coach Chester Brown helping to select which ones to attend, Thurmon started to get noticed.
“And now, he’s being recognized for his efforts,” Brock said.
Rev. Eric Hollis noted that Thurmon was not a big baby by any measure – he was 6 pounds, 10 ounces and 20 inches long when he was born on May 9.
“He must have started eating on May the 10th,” Hollis said.
His size and play on the field have brought scholarship offers from Clemson, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia Tech and nearly 20 other schools. Thurmon, though, has remained true to himself throughout all the notoriety, the pastor acknowledged.
“He doesn’t like to be the center of attention,” Hollis said.
Yet of his all numbers, the one Bradwell Institute principal Roland Van Horn is most proud of, Hollis said, was Thurmon’s 4.2 grade point average.
“We thank you for what you do off the field and off the court,” Hollis said. “Coach (Ty) Randolph said this young man is a servant leader. Elyjah, well done, my good and faithful servant.”
On the football field, Thurmon can play any of the offensive line positions, Brock said. He was moved from tackle to center before his senior season and though he had not snapped before, he became adept at the position, right down to identifying the protections and calls that a center has to make before delivering the ball to the quarterback.
Brock said Thurmon put in the work, even at home, to get better at snaps and the coaches felt comfortable having him at center to make the line calls.
“He’s very intelligent,” Brock said.
While Thurmon sifts through the offers and weighs his official visits, Brock is confident Thurmon will make the right choice for himself.
“He knows what he’s looking for,” the coach said. “After Florida came in with that initial Power 5 offer, the floodgates opened and it’s been trying to find the best fit for him.”