The next level is already here for Bradwell Institute’s Elyjah Thurmon. In fact, he’s already Clemson’s Elyjah Thurmon.

The reigning Region 1-AAAAA basketball player of the year and current Class AAAAA all-state offensive lineman capped his prep career with what by all accounts was an impressive showing at the Under Armour All-American Game and its practices.

The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Thurmon is an early enrollee for the Tigers and as such, reported to school Sunday. He relished being chosen for the game and for the work leading up to it.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “It was amazing being able to meet up with new guys coming together. It was great.”

Thurmon and his Team Ice compadres routed Team Fire 39-9 at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium and in practices against more-heralded recruits, Thurmon stood out. On3.com said Thurmon “has shown the best combination of movement skills and play strength among the interior offensive linemen on hand.” 

Thurmon, at barely 17 years old one of the youngest people in camp also got “rave reviews” from the UA coaches, 247sports.com said and the website added “there might be some initial growing pains, but the developmental upside is there for Thurmon.”

Thurmon said he enjoyed the workouts and practices before the game, which sometimes put him up against some of the most highly-touted defensive line recruits in the nation.

“The one-on-ones, for us being in the trenches, it was competing every day, testing your strengths and weaknesses against guys who are good as you are,” he said.

Thurmon prepared himself for the heightened level of competition he faced in Orlando, telling himself he would have to go up against some of the nation’s best high school players.

“I know I’m playing against someone just as good as me, if not better,” he said of what he told himself. “I feel like I performed really well. And we came out with a win, so that speaks for itself. I can’t even explain how fun it was.”