Breaking: 5’6″, 250-pound 5-star Tight End James Flanigan Stuns College Football — Resigns from Notre Dame and Commits to Florida State Over Penn State, Others
In a shocking twist that has shaken the college football recruiting world, 5-star tight end James Flanigan, known for his compact frame at 5-foot-6 and 250 pounds, has officially decommitted from Notre Dame and announced his commitment to the Florida State Seminoles, turning down powerhouse programs like Penn State, Michigan, Alabama, and Texas A&M in the process.
Flanigan, a rare blend of brute strength, elite blocking technique, and goal-line dominance, has been one of the most discussed and debated players in this year’s recruiting class. While his height has drawn skepticism, his unmatched explosiveness off the line of scrimmage and his relentless drive have earned him the label of a “once-in-a-generation” mismatch weapon.
Coming out of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Flanigan first turned heads as a freshman by bulldozing through defenders twice his size. Since then, his name has soared up the rankings — not for typical size-and-speed measurements, but for his impact on the field. He’s not your average tight end. He’s built more like a bowling ball with legs, and defenders who’ve tried to tackle him describe it as “getting hit by a moving refrigerator.”
The Notre Dame Fallout
Flanigan’s prior commitment to Notre Dame was seen as a major win for the Fighting Irish, especially given his family ties and Midwest roots. However, rumblings began last month about his unease with the program’s offensive system and how he’d be used. Sources close to the situation suggest that Flanigan wanted a more aggressive, downhill offense where he could thrive as both a lead blocker and short-yardage target.
Notre Dame’s coaching staff reportedly made last-ditch efforts to retain him, but Flanigan had made up his mind.
Why Florida State?
Flanigan’s decision to choose Florida State over Penn State, his other finalist, signals how confident he is in the Seminoles’ direction. Head Coach Mike Norvell and offensive coordinator Alex Atkins apparently rolled out the red carpet, pitching Flanigan on being a featured weapon in their hybrid H-back and tight end roles. Insiders say Norvell showed him film comparisons to former NFL greats like Mike Alstott and Delanie Walker, projecting Flanigan as an all-purpose battering ram and red-zone nightmare.
Moreover, Florida State’s growing momentum in the ACC and recent top-tier recruiting success gave Flanigan the belief that he could win big and be utilized creatively.
What’s Next
As recruiting analysts scramble to reassess team rankings following this sudden flip, one thing is certain — James Flanigan isn’t your traditional blue-chip prospect. He’s an unconventional phenom with an old-school game in a modern landscape, and he just sent a thunderclap through college football.
With his commitment to the Seminoles now official, Tallahassee has every reason to believe they’ve landed not just a tight end, but a culture-changer. James Flanigan’s journey is far from ordinary — and the s
tory is just beginning.
