Auburn football: 4-star TE Jelani Thurman sets commitment date

With only four commits so far on their 2023 roster, the Auburn football coaching staff is hoping to pick up several new commits in the month of July. 4-star running back Jeremiah Cobb and 4-star wide receiver Karmello English kicked things off early, but the Tigers are hoping to grow their numbers before the end of the summer.

One of Auburn football’s top targets at the tight end position, 4-star Jelani Thurman of Langston Hughes, announced he would make his final decision near the end of the month on July 17. Thurman is out of the same high school that produced recent Auburn commit Terrance Love, a 4-star safety.

Thurman is ranked as the #135 overall prospect and the #9 tight end in the recruiting class of 2023, and is the #11 recruit out of the state of Georgia. Though Thurman did not release an official list of finalists, it’s likely that he will be choosing between Auburn, Michigan State, Alabama, and Ohio State. He has also taken official visits to all four schools.

One factor that may push Auburn football to the top of Thurman’s list is the fact that he was offered to play both football and basketball, should he come to Auburn. According to Auburn Live, Thurman got the opportunity to meet with Bruce Pearl during his official visit last month, and the chance to be a dual-sport athlete is very important to him:

"“Of course (it’s significant). Obviously, a school that will let me play both and give me a chance to play both is big. Especially getting the head coach to come tell me I could. I know it’s not no BS team and I’ve got a chance to go play for a good team.”"

With no tight end commits so far in the recruiting class of 2023, Jelani Thurman would be an excellent addition to next year’s roster.