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Running Back Justin Thurman "Excited" For Notre Dame Offer

Star 2025 running back Justin Thurman recaps recent Notre Dame offer

Florida has been a state that Notre Dame has had difficulties with on the recruiting side over the last few classes. The Irish staff hopes to change that moving forward. On Thursday, they extended an offer to another talented Sunshine State talent in 2025 Tampa Bay (Fla.) Jesuit running back Justin Thurman.

The Florida native has been in contact with a bevy of talented programs. Despite hearing from some of the top teams in college football already, this recent offer meant something big for Thurman.

"The moment was exciting,” Thurman told Irish Breakdown. “It is a blessing to be offered another opportunity to play at the next level, especially at a school like Notre Dame. The conversation with Coach (Deland) McCullough was great. He talked about his background and how Notre Dame would be a great fit for me academically, athletically, and ongoing.

“It would be a great opportunity knowing that Notre Dame has a strong academic foundation, a historical football program that Coach (Marcus) Freeman is continuing,” Thurman added.

For Thurman, recruiting has been an incredible experience thus far. He has already gotten to know several great coaches at some premier programs.

“Recruiting has been great,” Thurman said. “To have an opportunity to learn more about all the schools, programs, and each coaching staff has been good. I really appreciate the interest and time the coaches have taken to provide insightful information to help me along in the process.

“Not all conversations have been just about football, but about family and life,” he continued. “It's still early and I am just learning more about each of the schools and programs right now.”

Over the next couple of months, Thurman is going to be incredibly busy. That includes his first ever stop to South Bend.

“I am finishing up May with an unofficial visit to Kansas this Friday, and the Six-Star Finals Showcase (Kansas City) this weekend on the 28th,” Thurman explained. “June continues with visits and camp season plans including Tennessee (early June), Florida (June 5th), Auburn (June 9th), Central Florida (June 11th), Notre Dame (June 15th), and Alabama (June 24th). There are a few potential others that I’m working to finalize.”

Only a sophomore, there are a lot of visits and conversations that will be had over the next couple of years. Thurman is, however, a very mature young man. He knows exactly what he’s looking for.

“I am looking for a school and program that will develop me academically, as well as continue to help me develop as a next level athlete and where I can have an opportunity to compete,” he said. “One that has a family culture and will help in my continued development as an overall person.”

Thurman is currently considered a four-star recruit by both 247Sports and the On3 Industry rankings. 247Sports currently has him rated the highest, pegging him as the No. 237 overall player and No. 22 running back in the 2025 recruiting class.

The Florida native is already hearing from several top programs. Some of his notable offers include Notre Dame, Florida, Tennessee, Auburn, Louisville, Kansas State, Kansas, Rutgers and UCF among others.

The 6-0, 180-pound runner was seldom used as a sophomore for Jesuit but is expected to take on a large role as a junior. Thurman ended his sophomore season with 169 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 19 carries. That is good enough for a healthy 8.9 yard per carry average.

Thurman also played a little bit of the defensive side of the football. He ended the season with 10 total tackles and a quarterback hurry. That is on top of Thurman’s 23.4 yard per return average as a kick returner. 

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Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers

2024 Commit Rankings - Offense
2024 Commit Rankings - Defense

2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense

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