Heel Tough Blog: Tar Heels Land Two TEs From Portal

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Entering Sunday, the Tar Heels had just two scholarship tight ends with any college playing experience on the roster, but that changed quickly.

It started overnight in the wee hours of the morning when the team landed Ohio State transfer Jelani Thurman and continued later in the morning when Texas transfer Jordan Washington committed to the program. Thurman will have two years of eligibility remaining, while Washington has three.

Thurman, who measures in at 6’6, 250 lbs., played the past three seasons at Ohio State. In those three seasons, he saw action in 34 games, getting his lone start in the Cotton Bowl game back in 2023. So far in his career, he’s caught 13 of his 19 career targets for 144 yards and two touchdowns. As a blocker, Thurman has graded out well both as a run and pass blocker in his three seasons with the Buckeyes.

Washington, who measures in at 6’4, 264 lbs., played the first two seasons of his college career with the Texas Longhorns. In those two seasons, he saw action in 17 games, including all twelve in the regular season this year. He has hauled in seven of his 14 targets for 109 yards and a touchdown, all of which came this season. As a blocker, Washington has struggled and he will need to be better, especially as a run blocker if he is going to see the field more than he did at Texas this season.

These commitments are big for the tight end room that needed more talent and depth in that room. The question is, with all the other needs that the team has, was it necessary to take on both guys? Let’s hope the team can still address their remaining needs with the limited scholarships they still have available.