Clemson and USC are still in the market for 2024 offensive linemen, and both are heavily involved with Elyjah Thurmon (6-5 275) of Hinesville, GA. Thurmon went to both of their camps and landed offers from each after showing off his skills.
Thurmon late last week included the Tigers and Gamecocks among his final eight schools. Clemson offensive line coach Thomas Austin and head coach Dabo Swinney have been making a strong push for him in recent weeks, and that’s paid off to this point.
“I think mostly with Clemson that put them there was how long I waited to see would I be able to get the offer,” Thurmon said. “Since I went to camp the past two years and did amazing, I was just waiting to get feedback from the coaches to let me know if I’ll be able to get it. And then, being able to talk to Coach Austin and keep in contact with him, and talking to Coach Swinney at least once or twice, that felt great. That brought it forward and made me put them in their top eight.”
USC offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley and head coach Shane Beamer were a little quicker to offer Thurmon than was Clemson. The two are pushing hard for Thurmon to join the already impressive list of offensive linemen they have committed for the class.
South Carolina, it’s just the relationship I have with Coach Teasley, it’s been amazing,” Thurmon said. “Constantly in contact with each other and he’s always telling me how fired up he is. And then, being able to have contact with Coach Beamer and being able to listen to him a couple of times and speak with him. They are basically fighting the same way Clemson is, trying to get me there and recruit me hard.”
The other six schools on Thurmon’s short list are Duke, UCF, LSU, Missouri, Georgia Tech and Florida. He has not yet taken any official visits, but he plans to take officials to all eight schools with the first one coming in mid-September. The location has not been determined.
Thurmon said he’s undecided about graduating early and thus is not sure if he will sign in December or wait until February. He said there is no favorite among his final eight schools.
