Justin Thurman
The Kansas football program has been on fire this week, marking one of its most successful recruiting stretches in recent memory. Coach Lance Leipold and his staff have made significant strides in securing key talent, flipping commitments and adding high-profile recruits, positioning the Jayhawks for a strong future both on and off the field.
A Week to Remember for Kansas Football
The buzz surrounding Kansas football’s recruiting efforts kicked off with a major addition: Justin Thurman, a running back from Jesuit High School in Tampa, flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to Kansas. Thurman, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound tailback, had been committed to the Fighting Irish for over a year but announced on November 18 that he was headed to Lawrence.
> “After careful consideration and reflection, I have decided to flip my commitment to the University of Kansas,” Thurman wrote on Twitter, accompanied by a heartfelt message and the #RockChalk hashtag. The news is a big win for Leipold and Kansas, as they look to shore up the running back position for the future.
Thurman Joins a Deep Recruiting Class
Thurman’s flip adds to a growing class of highly touted recruits for Kansas. The Jayhawks’ 2025 class has been growing in strength, with recent additions including Jaden Nickens, a dual-sport athlete and the highest-rated recruit in the class, and the trio of basketball recruits signed by Bill Self—Darryn Peterson, Bryson Tiller, and Samis Calderon—further solidifying the university’s recruiting prowess across multiple sports.
For Leipold’s football program, however, Thurman’s commitment stands out as a key move. As a running back, Thurman brings the ability to both run between the tackles and serve as a versatile asset in the passing game, something that could complement the offense’s current and future needs. While his ranking has dipped slightly as a senior, falling to No. 480 nationally per 247 Sports Composite rankings, his talent is undeniable, and he still offers tremendous upside with the right development.
Thurman and Kelly to Lead the Jayhawks’ Future Backfield
Thurman’s flip to Kansas gives the Jayhawks a crucial addition to a developing backfield. He joins John Kelly, another running back recruit, as part of the future offensive core. With standout bell-cow back Devin Neal expected to graduate after the 2024 season, the Jayhawks’ running back room will need new faces to step up. Thurman, along with Kelly, could help fill that void in the coming years, potentially making an immediate impact in the 2025 campaign.
In the short term, Daniel Hishaw and Sevion Morrison will lead the backfield for Kansas in 2025, but the program has positioned itself for long-term success with these solid recruits.
Leipold’s Vision for the Future
The commitment of Thurman is a testament to Leipold’s growing influence and the program’s continued upward trajectory. Despite Kansas football historically being overlooked, Leipold has built a culture of success that’s beginning to resonate with recruits across the country. Flipping Thurman from Notre Dame, one of the most storied programs in college football, signals that Kansas is no longer just a program to watch—it’s becoming one that recruits want to be part of.
For Kansas fans, this week of recruiting success has brought a renewed sense of optimism for the future. With the additions of Thurman, Kelly, and the other high-profile recruits, the Jayhawks are positioning themselves to contend at a higher level, and it all starts with Leipold’s work on the recruiting trail.
As Kansas looks to continue building a program that has already seen significant improvement on the field, adding talent like Thurman makes it clear that the Jayhawks are just getting started. With this kind of momentum, it could be only a matter of time before Kansas football becomes a serious contender in the Big 12 and beyond.
For now, though, Jayhawk fans are just basking in one of the best recruiting weeks the program has had in recent years. And with the signing of Thurman, the future looks brighter than ever.
