What must the Irish still add to make this class great?
It’s early in the 2025 recruiting cycle still but recruiting for Notre Dame tends to play out a lot like a quote from New York Yankees legend Yogi Berra:
“It’s getting late early out there.”
When it comes to football recruiting Notre Dame is a team that tends to start hot and then usually have to hold on to secure a high ranking. They’re rarely if ever a program that soars up the rankings late in the process.
That’s why it’s so important that Notre Dame gets off to hot starts in recruiting and that is something they’ve certainly done to date with the 2025 recruiting class.
Notre Dame now has 16 commitments in the class which gives them the top ranking according to both 247Sports and Rivals.
Below are the currently committed 16 members of Notre Dame’s 2025 recruiting class and a little about each player.
Please note: Prospects are listed according to their public commitment dates
The Irish most likely will hold on to the talented back
In recruiting it’s never easy to keep Florida commits, but it looks like that will be the case for Notre Dame and running back [autotag]Justin Thurman[/autotag].
The 5-foot, 11-inch and 185-pound runner is one of the best prospects in the country, ranking as the No. 24 player at his position and 292nd overall according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
Thurman committed to the Irish last August, but that hasn’t stopped a few schools like Florida State, Missouri and Kansas trying to get him to flip. The good news is that according to this report from 247Sports Gaby Urrutia (subscription required), he is intent on signing with Notre Dame.
The back is part of the Irish’s top rated class, and is one of two commits at the position with Daniel Anderson.
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An inside look at the events during last weekends Junior Day shared by Irish commit Justin Thurman
Last weekend was a big recruiting event for Notre Dame football, it was the first junior day of the year.
The Irish hosted many commits, along with a few uncommitted prospects. It’s always interesting to see what happens during these type of recruiting events and 2025 running back commit [autotag]Justin Thurman[/autotag] gave us an inside look at what went on during the weekend.
Thurman shared on social media a video chronicling everything that happened, starting with the staff members dressing up as leprechauns to greet the recruits, a tour around the facilities, a photoshoot, attending an Irish hockey game, walking out the tunnel into a snowy Notre Dame Stadium and so much more.
Check out the video below that Thurman shared of his visit.
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The Irish add more depth to their running back room
[autotag]Notre Dame[/autotag] scored a huge recruiting win for the 2025 class on Tuesday when Florida running back [autotag]Justin Thurman[/autotag] announced his commitment to the Irish.
Thurman stands 5-foot, 11-inches and weighs 185 pounds and is ranked as the 27th best running back and 281st overall prospect according to the 247Sports composite. He visited South Bend over this past weekend and the Irish coaching staff obviously did a great job.
He is the first commit of the class at his position, and after watching his sophomore film, it’s easy to see why Notre Dame wanted him. Find out what I saw in Thurman after watching his tape below.
Notre Dame continues to stockpile talent at running back…
It may only be August 1, 2023 but already Notre Dame has a pair of players in their 2025 recruiting class from a state they have had recent troubles pulling talent out of. Running back Justin Thurman of Tampa made his commitment public on Tuesday.
Thurman checks in at 6-0, 180-pounds and plays his high school football at Jesuit High School in Tampa. He’s entering his junior year there after sharing the backfield with Temple signee Joquez Smith last season. Thurman also played cornerback and returned kicks as a sophomore.
247Sports ranks Thurman as the 229th overall player in the class and a four-star talent. He is Notre Dame’s third commitment overall for 2025 and chose the Irish over the likes of Florida, Tennessee, and others. He has also ran a 100-meter dash in a blazing fast 10.84 seconds.
BREAKING: Class of 2025 RB Justin Thurman tells me he has Committed to Notre Dame!
The 6’0 185 RB from Tampa, FL chose the Fighting Irish over Tennessee, Kansas, & others
[autotag]Notre Dame[/autotag] hosted a “Grill & Chill” recruiting event this weekend and even before it happened, there was good news.
On Friday, 247Sports Tom Loy logged a crystal ball selection for 2025 Florida running back [autotag]Justin Thurman[/autotag] to end up committed to the Irish. At 5-foot, 11-inches and 185 pounds, the running back seemed very excited to be on campus this weekend.
Thurman is regarded as one of the best running backs in the nation, ranking as the 27th player at his position and 278th overall according to the 247Sports composite. The Notre Dame 2025 class currently does not have a commitment at Thurman’s position.
Loy’s went into detail as to why he made the crystal ball pick, saying the Irish “have already made a great impression and will look to close on the top target this weekend.” Unfortunately, Thurman didn’t commit during his visit but he might just be waiting for the right time if Loy is correct.
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This 2025 4-star running back will be on campus early June.
The 2024 recruiting cycle is currently on full blast for Florida football but that does not mean that Billy Napier and Co. are wearing blinders. The program is also vigilantly looking toward the future — particularly the next crop of prospects in the 2025 class.
Among those coveted by the Orange and Blue are four-star running back [autotag]Justin Thurman[/autotag] out of Tampa (Florida) Jesuit, a current commit who plans on making a return visit to Florida next month for a camp on June 5, according to Gators Online’s Corey Bender.
“It’s a camp. My last time there was for spring practice, which evolved into a visit. I am really coming to work with (running backs) coach (Jabbar) Juluke and learn more about his coaching style on the fifth,” Thurman revealed.
“Since the offer from Florida, we’ve had a couple of opportunities to connect, including when coach Juluke visited me at practice during spring ball. I’m attending the camp and looking forward to learning more about his coaching style and the running back system.”
Still, the in-state institution appears to have quite a bit of allure for the rising high school junior early in the process.
“Florida is a top-tier SEC school that has a strong program history,” said Thurman. “It’s early in the process, but they have piqued my interest. I look forward to learning more about how I would fit into their program.”
Thurman is ranked No. 274 overall and No. 26 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite while the On3 industry ranking has him at Nos. 264 and 25, respectively.
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2025 running back Justin Thurman discusses Tennessee’s coaches, recruitment and offensive scheme.
Four-star running back Justin Thurman unofficially visited Tennessee on April 15 for the Orange & White Game.
The 6-foot, 180-pound running back is from Jesuit High School in Tampa, Florida. Tennessee offered a scholarship to Thurman on March 28.
Thurman discussed his visit to Tennessee and updated his recruitment with Vols Wire.
“The spring game was the biggest takeaway for me during my visit,” Thurman said. “I got a glimpse of the huge fan base, especially with almost 60,000 fans attending. I also got to tour the facilities and see a video of the new additions coming, big things are happening here.”
Thurman is building a relationship with running backs coach Jerry Mack and graduate assistant Aston Walter.
“We got off to a great start when they offered and when I went to visit for the spring game,” Thurman said about his relationship with Tennessee’s staff. “Coach Mack and coach Walter spent significant time talking with me about the program and how I could fit into the program at Tennessee.
“I have reached out on a few follow-up conversations and am learning more each time we talk.”
Tennessee assistant coach Jerry Mack. Dan Harralson/Vols Wire
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Thurman values development of student-athletes on and off the field, which coach Mack addressed during his visit.
“Coach Mack spoke of the culture and plans for Tennessee to remain a dominant program,” Thurman said. “They talked about player education, development and a chance for opportunities at the next level, all are important to me.”
Tennessee has emerged as a top school in Thurman’s recruitment.
“Tennessee has a top-level football program,” he said. “My initial visit left a lasting impression after meeting coach (Josh) Heupel and spending time with coach Mack and coach Walter. Tennessee is among my top schools of interest.”
Thurman is the No. 266 prospect in the class of 2025. He is the No. 26 running back and the No. 40 player in Florida, according to On3’s industry rankings.
“I can see myself fitting into the offensive scheme at Tennessee because of the way they incorporate their backs into the scheme,” Thurman said. “Multiple backs are used and are incorporated into the passing game, too. Overall, it’s mainly a high tempo, inside zone scheme.”
Thurman plans to make multiple visits to Tennessee in 2023.
“I am planning to get back to Tennessee to continue to develop our relationship further, and learn more about the University of Tennessee and the football program,” he said. “I am planning an early June visit and possibly a game visit in the fall.”
Thurman will take time throughout his recruiting process before committing to a school.
“Since my recruitment has recently picked up, I want to learn as much as I can about all the programs interested in me, the culture, the academics, as well as get to know the coaches and the staff,” he said. “Building relationships is a critical driver. All of this will help me determine the best fit for me.”
The Iowa Hawkeyes handed out an offer to talented, four-star running back Justin Thurman out of Tampa, Fla., in the 2025 class.
The Iowa Hawkeyes are getting busy handing out offers in the 2025 class to talented prospects the staff believes can morph into the next wave of black and gold superstars.
Four-star running back Justin Thurman is the latest name to add to that list. A 6-foot, 180 pound running back, Thurman hails from Jesuit High School in Tampa, Fla.
In addition to Iowa, Thurman holds offers from Coastal Carolina, Florida, Florida A&M, Kansas, Kansas State, Rutgers, Tennessee and Toledo.
According to 247Sports, Thurman is a four-star prospect, the nation’s No. 237 player overall, the No. 22 running back and the No. 35 talent from the state of Florida in the 2025 class. Meanwhile, On3 ranks Thurman as a three-star back, the No. 29 running back in the 2025 class and as the No. 47 player from Florida.
Thurman checks in as the No. 255 player nationally, the No. 23 running back and as the No. 39 player from Florida in the On3 consensus rankings.
Per his Hudl page, Thurman lists a 4.31 40-yard dash time, a 4.04 shuttle time, a 36.1″ vertical leap and a 10.87 100-meter dash time.
The Hawkeyes also just sent out an offer to fellow 2025 prospect Dallas Golden out of Berkeley Prep in Tampa, Fla. Golden is regarded as a four-star athlete per On3.
Here’s a more detailed look at what Thurman might add to the Hawkeyes. Below is a peek at his Hudl tape. Plus, his full recruiting profile and offers sheet.
Rutgers football hosted Justin Thurman this past weekend for a visit.
Tampa running back Justin Thurman visited the Rutgers football program over the weekend to check out a spring practice. It was the first opportunity for Thurman to connect with the Big Ten program, just days after being offered by the Scarlet Knights.
Thurman is a class of 2025 running back from Jesuit High School (Tampa, FL). He currently holds Power Five offers from Kansas and Tennesee in addition to his early April offer from Rutgers.
The Scarlet Knights hosted Thurman over the weekend, giving the talented athlete a first chance to be on campus and connect with the staff including head coach Greg Schiano. It was a strong impression from Rutgers for a running back who is likely to see his recruitment blow-up this fall.
“My visit to Rutgers was very, very informative. In addition to watching practice and the scrimmage, I had an opportunity to see all areas of the facilities and learned (that) they are getting ready to build a new indoor practice facility,” Thurman told Rutgers Wire.
“Along with meeting with the academics director, I met with player development too. And I was able to sit in on one of the running back team meetings and had a film breakdown session with running backs coach Shaw (Damiere Shaw).
“My visit concluded with a meeting with coach Schiano, where he gave me more insight on how I can be a valuable addition and have an impact on the Rutgers football program.”
Just two weeks ago, Thurman was named March the running backs MVP at the Rivals camp at St. Thomas Aquinas. It was a deep and loaded event.
Also a standout sprinter, Thurman’s team is in the postseason, meaning a shift of focus this week. But then it is back to recruiting.
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On April 15, he will visit Tennessee and is hoping for a visit to Kansas sometime in the next couple of months.
A return to Rutgers, he said, could be in the works as well. This week was definitely a positive learning experience for Thurman, especially as he is in the early stages of his recruitment.
What stood out from the weekend visit to Rutgers? The practice itself, Thurman said.
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“To see the team practice and scrimmage,” Thurman said.
