Clemson offensive lineman Elyjah Thurmon was exceptional as a true freshman in 2024 before his season ended prematurely due to an injury, and head coach Dabo Swinney says the 6-foot-4, 325-pounder “can play anywhere” along the offensive line.

So, where does Swinney see Thurmon taking most of his reps to start out camp?

Clemson returns four starters on the O-line, only needing to replace Marcus Tate, who served as the left guard last season, and that’s the spot Swinney said Thurmon will likely begin camp battling for.

“He could start at guard, he could start at tackle,” Swinney said of the sophomore. “I think right out of the gate, he’ll probably try to battle at guard.”

Thurmon played 146 snaps from scrimmage over eight games during his first season as a Tiger in 2024. He garnered high postgame praise from Swinney for stepping in for injured left tackle Tristan Leigh at Virginia Tech and performing well in 74 snaps. Thurmon then made his first career start at Pitt but suffered a season-ending injury on his first and only snap of the game.

A former four-star offensive lineman by most recruiting services, Thurmon was credited with 51 pancakes/takedowns as a prep senior and allowed only four hurries. The Bradwell Institute (Ga.) product was selected to the Under Armour All-America Game and the Polynesian Bowl, and named MVP of the Crafting Lineman camp as well as the Big Man 5v5 Lineman Camp. He also competed in basketball and track and field.

Swinney said Thurmon is getting reps at center as well.

“He started at left tackle for us last year. He’s also working at center,” Swinney said. “In the recruiting process, he snapped some in high school, too. So, he’s another guy that we’re really developing across the board. But he could play anywhere.”

Swinney added that Thurmon is in the same mold as Clemson redshirt junior offensive lineman Collin Sadler, in terms of their versatility. Sadler has six career starts under his belt, including three at tackle and three at guard.

“Sadler, Elyjah – those two guys could really play anywhere,” Swinney said. “I think Sadler has been working on some snapping as well. Just trying to create as much depth as possible. But Sadler could go play left tackle, right tackle, left guard, right guard, and I’d put Elyjah in the same category.”