Education
Thurman played at the running back position at Robert East. Lee High School in Midland, Texas under coach Spike Dykes.
Due to his small size at 5" 4" and 126 pounds, Thurman received little interest from Division I schools before being recruited to Texas Technical University with the hiring of his former high school coach Spike Dykes as the defensive coordinator for the Red Raiders in 1984. Thurman would play at the wide receiver position, but earned his accolades as a punt returner.
Thurman would play from 1985-1988, and earned Associated Press All-American 1st Team honors as a kick returner during his senior year in 1988. Thurman concluded his career holding several school records including longest punt return at 96 yards, return yards in a season (444 in 1986), returns in a career (126) and yards in a career (1,466).
Several records still stand in 2013, with some having been broken by Mosi Tatupu Award winner Wes Welker.
