RB Commit Daniel Anderson Enjoys Notre Dame Return

Daniel Anderson‍ may not have announced his commitment to Notre Dame until September, but by last year’s Grill And Chill, the 2025 Arkansas running back knew where he wanted to go. 

Anderson was back for this year’s Grill And Chill last Thursday and again enjoyed himself.

“It went great,” the Bryant High School standout said. “It was really fun. I really enjoyed my time there.

“Every time going back back really just feels like a family get-together with those guys. They make it so warm and welcoming. Every time I get to meet the coaches and the recruiting personnel again, it's just like family and we're having so much fun every time. I really enjoy it every time we come up there.”

Anderson spent a good chunk of his time with fellow 2025 running back commit Justin Thurman.

“Getting to hang out with the other running back was pretty fun,” he said. “I spent most of my time with him, pretty much.

“I really like Justin. He's a cool dude. He is pretty chill, laidback, but he's funny man. He likes to have a lot of fun too. Me and him have some similar interests. I learned that at the Grill Out. We both like cooking, so we were both really just having fun connecting.”

Despite their culinary interests, Anderson’s squad finished last in the cook-off challenge.

“I don't know what happened, man,” he said, only partly joking. “Coach (Marcus) Freeman even said himself that he didn't think we got last place. I don't know how that happened. Coach Freeman himself said he thought we got second.”

Anderson remains confident their plate of steak, chicken, potatoes and veggies was solid.

“Some questionable judging because Coach Freeman said he liked our steak, he liked our chicken and he liked our veggies,” he said. “He said our potatoes were a little plain. That's all good because I didn't cook those. It's all good.”

Anderson appreciated the non-football centric visit.

“Everybody was there just talking about the school and how much they enjoy their time and just different things that they know about the school and just getting to hang out with those guys, they're all very respectable and they're all very humble,” he said. “It's like no one's boasting about how they're good at this; like, 'I am the best.' 

“We're all hanging out, having fun, learning new things, and I really like that energy that they bring. The vibe that is always there around Notre Dame is something you always want to have.”

Anderson did get to reconnect with Irish running backs coach Deland McCullough.

“We got to do a few meetings with him and he was with my family a lot when we were walking around,” said Anderson. “It was good to see him again.”

The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder will return in the fall, but doesn’t yet know exactly when.

“I'll definitely be back for a game. Me and my mom have been looking at our schedules. We're just not sure what game we're going to be able to come out to.”

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