Notre Dame Has Made A Strong Impression On Dynamic Back Justin Thurman

Notre Dame has been recruiting the running back position at a very high level in recent seasons, and the Irish are hoping to continue that in 2025. One of the top early targets on the board is Tampa (Fla.) Jesuit speedster Justin Thurman, a dynamic athlete that was a recent standout at the Notre Dame Irish Invasion camp.

Thurman impressed the Notre Dame coaches with his performance, and Notre Dame certainly impressed the talented running back.

"My first initial thought was just how historical the campus was,” Thurman told Irish Breakdown. "When you first get onto campus, they have a lot of history. They have modernized a couple of things, but they really like to keep things traditional there to show off the greatness and the success of what Notre Dame holds.”

Thurman has been high on Notre Dame for some time, but things went to another level during the visit. It wasn't just the 6-0, 180-pound running back that was impressed with all that Notre Dame had to offer, as his parents also made the trip to South Bend.

"It was their first time going up to Notre Dame as well,” Thurman explained. "They were very impressed just like I was. Not only just the athletic parts of the visit but the academics, and the whole environment. It’s very, very impressive and an amazing school.”

Of course the visit was centered around the camp, and Thurman was a big time performer, posting some of the best testing numbers of anyone at the event. But it was working with the Notre Dame coaches that stood out the most.

"It was a great opportunity to be able to work with Coach (Deland) McCullough,” said Thurman. "Just being able to see the way that he coaches, get some feedback from him and learn more about Notre Dame. It was a great camp to compete against some of the best linebackers in the country. There were people there from everywhere.”

Leaving the visit, there is no doubt that Notre Dame made a significant impact on Thurman. In the weeks since the Irish coaches have continued building on that connection. Notre Dame has put itself in a very strong early position with Thurman.

"I’m really focusing on the next two months,” Thurman explained. "I’m digging really deep into each of these schools and trying to figure out what each brings to the table that is unique. Getting to know the coaches more and really digging into the full scope for what they offer as a program.

"There is little question that I could thrive at a place like Notre Dame,” he added. "They have a plan for me, which includes growing as a person, student and player. It’s a short term decision for a massive long term outcome.”

Thurman is currently considered a four-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals, and he is ranked by 247Sports as the nation's No. 236 overall player. ESPN ranks him as the No. 258 overall player in the 2025 class.

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

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