Collegiate tight ends rarely contribute in their first season. The position is just too developmental.
That’s why, despite his standing as the No. 3 tight end and No. 104 overall recruit in the 247Sports composite rankings for the 2023 recruiting class, Jelani Thurman was happy to sit back and take a redshirt for his freshman campaign.
“It was basically just a developmental year,” Thurman said. “Learning from the older guys, getting gems, getting to see them play, actually getting in there a little bit. I had a few plays during the season, but (I was) just learning, sitting back, getting ready for my year.