It’s safe to say Dabo Swinney is very high on this gifted and versatile true freshman offensive lineman.

Clemson’s head coach raved about Elyjah Thurmon this week, calling him a “rare jewel” who can play anywhere along the O-line and who has all the traits to become a special player up front for the Tigers moving forward.

“That kid can play five positions. He is a rare, rare, rare jewel in the offensive line,” Swinney said. “He is truly a kid that can play all five positions, and he’s done that. He played center in high school, he’s played guard, he’s played left tackle, right tackle. We got us one right there, man — love this kid.”

A former consensus four-star prospect who enrolled early at Clemson this past January, Thurmon played 31 snaps in his college debut vs. App State on Sept. 7.

Swinney says the 6-foot-4, 310-pounder would likely be a starter for the Tigers already, if it wasn’t for their O-line depth, which is allowing them to ease Thurmon into action early in his career.

“He’s very smart. Very smart. Really the game comes naturally to him. He’s athletic, he’s big and strong. Way ahead of what a typical freshman is,” Swinney said. “And again, a couple years ago, he’d probably be starting for us right now. But we’ve got some really good depth and we’re able to really bring him along at a good pace. But he’s a natural. I’m really proud of him. But he truly is a kid that can play five positions, and there’s not many of those in the offensive line.”

A Mississippi native who finished his prep career in the Peach State, Thurmon joined the Tigers following his senior season at Bradwell (Ga.) Institute in 2023, when he was credited with 51 pancakes/takedowns while allowing only four hurries.

Thurmon was an Under Armour All-America Game and Polynesian Bowl selection in football, while he also competed in basketball and track and field in high school.

Swinney said the Tigers knew Thurmon would be physically able to contribute immediately as a true freshman – they just needed to see if he was ready to play right away from a mental standpoint, and he has quickly shown that he is.

“He looks like a D-lineman. He can run. This guy can move. But that’s what we loved about him coming out,” Swinney said. “You knew physically, watching him in high school, physically he’s going to be in position to help us. But you never know till you start coaching a guy, will the mental part add up to match up the physical part?

“I’ve had many times, physically the guy looks the part, but mentally it’s going to take a little while, and then vice versa. I’ve seen guys that physically, they’re not ready, but mentally, they’re way beyond and they help you. You just never really know. … But Elyjah, when he got here – I mean this kid, he can play five positions. That’s how smart he is.”

Swinney added that they haven’t really asked Thurmon to play at the center position yet, but Swinney “would be willing to bet he’ll probably play some center before he leaves Clemson,” and “he really, truly can be a kid that at some point could probably start at five different positions” on the O-line.

“He’s that strong, he’s that athletic, he’s that smart,” Swinney said. “So, we’re really blessed to have a kid like him, and we don’t have to have him start right now. He can be a guy that we can bring along and keep developing him.”

Swinney is bullish on Thurmon’s potential and certainly sees a bright future for him in a Tiger uniform.

“He’s going to really be a good football player. I think it’s very important to him,” Swinney said. “He’s physical. All you’ve got to do is watch him run. Like I said, he runs a lot of times like a D-lineman, and he’s really athletic. So, if he’ll keep putting the work in, he’s going to be a really good player. He’s got all the tools, and again, his versatility is hard to find.”