Following Deuce Knight's flip, Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame loses 3-star RB Daniel Anderson

Notre Dame’s football program experienced a rough week after losing two key recruits in back-to-back days. Three-star running back Daniel Anderson decommitted from the school's 2025 recruiting class, just a day after the Irish were hit by four-star quarterback Deuce Knight’s flip to Auburn on Wednesday.

Anderson became one of the early members of Notre Dame after committing to it last year. He maintained a connection with the program by taking an official visit in June and returning for the school’s “Grill and Chill” event at the end of July.

However, on Thursday, Anderson announced his decision to decommit on X, writing:

“First, I would like to thank the coaching staff and everyone in the Notre Dame family for believing in me and welcoming me to the ND family. After further conversations with my family, who have helped me get to this point, I have decided to reopen my recruitment for the 2025 class.”

Anderson’s departure leaves Notre Dame with 21 commitments in the 2025 class, dropping the class ranking from No. 11 to No. 13 nationally. The school now has only four-star recruit Justin Thurman in the running back room.

Several potential replacements for Daniel Anderson are emerging following his decommitment. These include Isaiah West, a four-star back from St. Joseph’s Prep in Pennsylvania; Waltez Clark, a four-star recruit from Plant High School in Florida and Marquise Davis, another four-star prospect from Cleveland Heights High School in Ohio; as well as John Forster, a three-star talent out of St. Joseph’s Regional in New Jersey.

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Daniel Anderson's athletic profile

In his sophomore season, Daniel Anderson recorded 74 carries for 856 yards and 11 touchdowns, complemented by nine receptions for 246 yards and three additional touchdowns for Bryant High School in Arkansas. His stellar performance contributed significantly to the school's undefeated season and their state championship victory.

The running back's junior season did not unfold as hoped, as he suffered a foot injury that limited his appearances to just five games. In those matchups, he managed 29 carries for 164 yards and one touchdown.

Now in his senior season, Anderson is working to prove himself once again. Through the first four games, he has recorded 34 carries for 232 yards and 5 touchdowns.

Daniel Anderson is ranked as the nation's No. 68 running back in the 2025 class and the No. 10 recruit in Arkansas by On3. 247 Sports places him as No. 50 running back in the cycle and the No. 4 recruit in the state. He also excels in track and field, having been qualified for the Arkansas 6A state meet in events like the triple jump, shot put, 4x100 and 4x200 relays.