Longtime Notre Dame Commit Justin Thurman Embraces Role Of Recruiter
Last year’s BBQ at Notre Dame was an eventful one for Justin Thurman.
“I went up there to the Grill And Chill last year with the intent to commit and that's what I did,” the 2025 Florida running back recounted.
While this year’s Grill And Chill was never going to be as eventful, Thurman still thoroughly enjoyed his return to South Bend last week.
“It was absolutely great just being able to get back on campus,” Thurman told Irish Sports Daily. “Being able to get with the coaches again and get with some of the other fellow commits also too, some of the 2026 targets as well, that was absolutely great.”
Like the other visitors, Thurman talked about how the relaxed atmosphere, not concentrated on football allowed them the chance to build meaningful relationships.
“It gives us an opportunity to get to know each other and also to just talk a little bit more, not only from the football aspect of Notre Dame, but just about our lives in general,” said Thurman. “Just to be able to be in an environment where we can feel comfortable, really just sharing things about each other, our lives, about football, family, other things that we do for other hobbies.
“I feel it's a good way to connect not only on the football level, but also just on the life level with the coaches and the players and the commits.”
But that doesn’t mean there was zero football talk.
“I got to spend a pretty good amount of time with Coach (Deland) McCullough,” Thurman said. “We didn't really talk too much football. We talked about football, of course, but we really just talked about life in general, how we were doing, how everything is going.
“I feel like that's where the relationship is and is going to continue to grow. I really like that we could really not only just talk about football stuff, but talk about life in general, being able to be comfortable around them. It really feels like a family atmosphere that you can open up to and just talk.”
It wasn’t that kind of trip that would make the 6-foot, 185-pounder anymore secure in his decision, but only because he couldn’t be more secure.
“I'm confident in my decision in being committed to Notre Dame,” he said. “Every visit I go to reestablishes why I committed and why I believe that it's the great place that it is. It gives me a chance to really showcase to others too why Notre Dame is the spot not only just for football, but for everything in general.”
Thurman took the opportunity to speak with many of the uncommitted targets in the 2026 recruiting class.
“I really just explain how and why I committed to Notre Dame and really just give them the whole picture in terms of what Notre Dame really offers, not only just in the football aspect, but also in the life aspect and also through the educational aspect,” he said of his message to those recruits.
“Being able to explain from a commit's perspective on why Notre Dame is the great place that it is, I feel like that really adds a unique perspective and can really help the target, those who are looking to commit to Notre Dame, really put themselves in our shoes as to why we chose Notre Dame.”
It feels like a natural role for Thurman.
“It really kind of puts me in a role to really showcase why Notre Dame is the great place that it is and I can really influence and show people why choosing Notre Dame is going to be the best decision for them in their lives.”
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