OL Tyler Thurmond commits to WVU football

The WVU football team picked up a big commitment in offensive lineman and Georgia native Tyler Thurmond on Monday.

Thurmond becomes the second offensive linemen to pledge to the 2017 recruiting class for the Mountaineers. The team will need some depth along the line in the near future as this year’s unit looks to be the best in the Big 12 Conference.

Related Story: Loss of instate recruits not alarming to WVU

Thurmond is a huge specimen, standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 275 pounds. His size and strength are what made him attractive to Division I schools. West Virginia, however, was the only Power Five school to offer a scholarship.

His skills, though, are certainly a good fit for the top programs in the country. He is big, currently, and will only get bigger once he gets on the WVU football team’s lifting regimen under strength and conditioning coach Mike Joseph.

Thurmond thanks his current coaching staff for helping him through the recruitment process, but if it wasn’t for WVU offensive line coach Ron Crook and territory representative Blue Adams, Thurmond likely wouldn’t be a future Mountaineer.

Crook has allowed the WVU offensive line to blossom into the strongest unit on the team. His coaching ability and inspiration make West Virginia an attractive landing spot for great prep offensive linemen. Crook has been crucial in developing the Mountaineers offensive, as a whole, alongside WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen.

More from Hail WV

• Every West Virginia potential March Madness venue in 2023 NCAA Tournament
• West Virginia March Madness Schedule: When do the Mountaineers play next? (Updated March 12)
• West Virginia vs. Kansas prediction and odds for Saturday, February 25 (Take Mountaineers as underdogs)
• WVU Football Recruiting: Mountaineers make Malik Hartford’s short list
• Previewing WVU basketball against Oklahoma State

Adams, who has only been on the staff a few months, is making a splash in recruiting despite being a new Mountaineer, himself. His NFL background and down-to-earth attitude make him a relatable figure.

Thurmond is regarded as the 10th best prospect in the state of Georgia and checks in at 251, nationally, according to MaxPreps. He plays for Buford High School, which is one of the most consistent programs in the state of Georgia. Buford went 13-2 a year ago and has its sights on a state title in Thurmond’s senior year.

Thurmond drew interest from more than 20 schools. He recently visited East Carolina, but really only had offers from Ohio and Old Dominion. With those possibilities, it was a no-brainer for Thurmond to join the WVU football and brighten his future.