2025 Florida RB Justin Thurman talks latest trip to Rocky Top

2025 Jesuit (Fla.) running back Justin Thurman made his way to Knoxville again for Tennessee’s Night at Neyland Camp on Saturday evening. Following the event, he discussed with Volquest the camp setting and time spent with Tennessee Running Backs Coach Jerry Mack.

Thurman made it into town on Friday evening and was able to get a closer look at campus because of this.

“Yesterday, I was able to take a campus tour with Coach Mack, and he showed us all of the facilities,” Thurman said of this. “They took us around campus and showed us where the classes are, the business school and the major places that students go are. It was very informative about Tennessee’s program, overall.”

Academics, especially Business, is something that is important to the his process.
Academics is very important for me,” Thurman said. “I want somewhere that can help support students from an academic structure. Making sure they can excel in school and on the field.”

Even though it is early in his recruitment, Thurman has connected well with Mack to this point.

“It has been good,” Thurman said of the relationship with Mack. “He is a great guy and a great mentor about life. I like the way he coaches running backs and the way they use them in the offensive scheme.”

He enjoyed being coached up by him on Saturday evening and plans to utilize his instructions back at the high school level this fall.

I would say one of the main things was making less choppy steps,” the four-star said. “He said I have very good feet, but if you can erase less steps, then you be faster than you already are and erase angles to utilize your speed to break long runs and touchdowns.”

Kansas, Florida, Florida State, and others are all actively showing interest in Thurman early on. One thing that has helped Tennessee stand out is how they use their backs in the high-tempo offense.

“I like their scheme with how they run a lot of inside zone,” Thurman said of this. “They utilize their backs out of the backfield with passing concepts, such as the slip concept to get them in the flat and getting them downfield. They get you in the open field and allow you to make guys miss and try to go score.”

Thurman has several more visits lined up this summer, and he “definitely” plans to return to Tennessee in the fall. As he works through the recruiting process, he is focused on finding the school that is the best fit for him.

“I would say a school that is an overall academic, spiritual, and athletic fit,” he said. “A school that I feel comfortable with and has good people that want to help me improve and be the best man I can be.”

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