Dabo Swinney’s unique Jelani Thurman analogy shows just how dangerous he’s become

With the way he's performed in his first two games as a Tar Heel, tight end Jelani Thurman's days of being able to sneak up on opponents is over.

Already with eight receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown this season (all of which have set or tied career highs for him thus far), Thurman has quickly developed into one of Billy Edwards Jr.'s favorite targets. He also has earned a prominent role on offense in general for the Tar Heels, adding a skill set at the tight end position that UNC didn't have a season ago in Bill Belichick's first year as the program's leader.

Ahead of their Week 3 matchup with the Tar Heels, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney knows that his team has to be ready for Thurman, and had the perfect analogy to describe how his team needs to know where he is at all times of the game.

Dabo Swinney knows his team needs a plan to stop Jelani Thurman

While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Swinney absolutely raved about Thurman, who transferred to North Carolina this past offseason from Clemson. Swinney provided an analogy that us older folks will understand right away, but don't worry, we're here to explain it to the young kids as well!

Here's what Swinney had to say about Thurman:

"He's a Waldo, and we've gotta know where all the Waldos are. We've gotta have a plan for him."

Where's Waldo? (also known as "Where's Wally?" in some parts of the world) is a famous series of children's search-and-find puzzle books that were first published in June of 1987. Since then, the phrase "Where's Waldo?" has been used by many to describe the art of looking for something that may be difficult to find, as Waldo's iconic red-and-white striped shirt and matching pom-pom beanie hat sometimes could easily get lost in the chaos of the given picture that people have tried to locate him in.

There was also a show which, ironically, aired for the first time 35 years ago this week on CBS.

Essentially, Swinney and his team know that they need to know where Thurman is every time he steps foot on the field. If they lose him (like Waldo in some cases), that's when the Tar Heels' tight end will capitalize.

You got to give Swinney credit for that epic connection. Sure, maybe he spent many days trying to beat these iconic puzzles, but putting the analogy aside, it goes to show just how much respect Clemson has for Thurman based on what he's been able to do since becoming a Tar Heel.

Unfortunately for Clemson, Thurman won't be sporting a red-and-white striped shirt (more the style of that school from Raleigh), but you can rest assure that Bobby Petrino will continue to look for ways to get the ball in his tight end's hands, something the Tigers hope they can limit as much as possible when UNC rolls into town on Saturday afternoon.

For this week, Clemson should call it, "Where's Jelani?"

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow