In a surprising turn of events, Justin Thurman, a highly sought-after running back in the 2025 class who had been committed to the University of Notre Dame for nearly a year, has announced he is decommitting and will be joining the University of Tennessee Volunteers instead. Thurman, a 6-foot, 215-pound powerhouse from St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C., made the decision public on social media, citing his desire to align himself with a program that best matches his athletic and academic goals.

 

The change in Thurman’s recruitment has sent ripples through the college football landscape, especially among Notre Dame fans who had long viewed him as a cornerstone of their upcoming recruiting class. Thurman, known for his blend of size, speed, and vision, was expected to help anchor Notre Dame’s running back depth for years to come. His decommitment now opens up significant questions about the Irish’s backfield recruitment and their overall strategy for the 2025 class.

 

The Rise of Justin Thurman

 

Thurman’s recruitment had been a major storyline in college football circles for several months. A standout in high school, Thurman has been one of the most impressive running backs in the 2025 class, earning multiple five-star ratings from major recruiting services. His ability to break tackles, make defenders miss in the open field, and his patience as a runner made him a perfect fit for Notre Dame’s traditional power-running scheme.

 

He burst onto the scene in his sophomore year, rushing for over 1,500 yards and 20 touchdowns, quickly drawing the attention of top programs across the country. Thurman’s high football IQ, combined with his physical gifts, allowed him to dominate at the prep level and become a highly coveted prospect. His early commitment to Notre Dame was a massive coup for the Irish, as they managed to lock down one of the nation’s top talents ahead of many other schools.

 

However, as recruitment continued into the 2024 season, other programs began making a push, particularly the Tennessee Volunteers, who had kept in close contact with Thurman throughout his recruitment.

 

Tennessee’s Push for Thurman

 

Tennessee had been steadily making inroads with Thurman over the past few months, with head coach Josh Heupel and running backs coach Jerry Mack playing key roles in the Vols’ recruitment efforts. Heupel’s fast-paced, high-powered offense, which emphasizes speed and explosive plays, could offer Thurman the opportunity to showcase his talents in a system that suits his skill set. Tennessee’s success in developing top-tier running backs and their consistent presence in SEC championship and playoff conversations likely played a role in his decision.

 

Thurman’s decision to flip to Tennessee is seen as a testament to the growing appeal of Heupel’s program, which has gained significant momentum in recent years. The Volunteers are in the midst of a recruiting resurgence, and landing Thurman is a huge win for them in the competitive world of college football recruiting.

 

Notre Dame’s Loss

 

For Notre Dame, losing Thurman is a significant blow to their 2025 class, especially after the program had invested considerable time and effort into building a relationship with the D.C. native. Irish head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff now face the challenge of replacing a dynamic talent in their backfield. Notre Dame’s offense, which has seen a resurgence under Freeman’s leadership, will need to continue to develop alternative options at running back to ensure they remain competitive in the coming years.

 

While this loss stings, Notre Dame remains one of the most prominent and respected programs in college football, and their recruiting prowess should help them bounce back quickly. The Irish will likely turn their attention to other highly ranked running back prospects in the 2025 class as they look to shore up their depth at the position.

 

Looking Ahead

 

As Justin Thurman embarks on a new chapter with the Tennessee Volunteers, both he and his former suitors will look ahead to what’s next. For Thurman, his decision to flip to Tennessee represents a new beginning with one of the most exciting programs in the country. For Notre Dame, it’s back to the drawing board, but given the program’s history of success and strong recruiting ties, they will undoubtedly find a way to move forward. As always in the world of college football recruiting, things are never static, and this story is far from over.