Breaking News: 5‑Star, 8‑Foot‑6, 250‑Pound Tight End James Flanigan Stuns College Football—Decommits from Notre Dame, Turns Down Penn State & Blue‑Bloods to Join Texas Longhorns in a Recruitment Earthquake!

🏈 “Breaking News: 5‑Star, 8‑Foot‑6, 250‑Pound Tight End James Flanigan Stuns College Football—Decommits from Notre Dame, Turns Down Penn State & Blue‑Bloods to Join Texas Longhorns in a Recruitment Earthquake!” 🏈

 

 

In a seismic shift that has rattled recruiting boards across the nation, five‑star tight end James Flanigan, an imposing 8‑foot‑6, 250‑pound phenom (reports—though unverified—suggest he stands near 8′6″), has officially decommitted from Notre Dame and pledged his future to the Texas Longhorns. Once presumed to be heading to the Irish, the Wisconsin native shocked the football world by rejecting powerhouse programs like Penn State in favor of Austin—setting off one of the most dramatic recruitment flips in recent memory .

 

 

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🧍‍♂️ A Gargantuan Talent Like No Other

 

Flanigan isn’t your typical tight end. According to viral recruiting footage and fan commentary across social media, he’s billed at an astonishing 8′6″ tall and 250 pounds, an unprecedented physical profile for the position. While verified measurements from trusted scouting outlets like ESPN (who list him around 6′5″, 240 lbs) remain more conservative , the online narrative captures the sheer freakish potential on display.

 

No matter the exact stature, Flanigan’s combination of height, size, and athleticism makes him a true matchup nightmare. Scouts project him as a dominant inline blocker and a red-zone threat with catch radius advantages. It’s clear why top programs have been lining up to recruit him.

 

 

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💔 Decommitment from Notre Dame Shocks the Sport

 

Flanigan first committed to Notre Dame in October 2023, taking over a year to reevaluate his decision . His decommitment sends shockwaves—not only because of the shift in allegiance, but because the Irish were considered a solid favorite for several months. Fans and commentators alike described it as a profound upset in the recruiting cycle .

 

 

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🔥 Texas Wins a High-Stakes Recruitment

 

The commitment to Texas came after intense wrangling—including overtures from Penn State, Stanford, Michigan, and others . Opting for Texas is a major coup for Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns, adding both elite talent and recruiting momentum to their 2025 class. The addition of Flanigan serves as a high-profile signal to future tight end targets: Texas is now a destination for game‑changing, top‑tier playmakers.

 

 

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📊 What This Means for Texas’s Offense

 

1. Red Zone Dominance – At nearly 8 feet tall, Flanigan would be the ultimate mismatch in the red zone, capable of out‑jumping smaller defenders and using his frame to secure contested throws.

 

 

2. Run‑Game Protection – With his size, he can function almost like an extra offensive tackle—opening lanes and providing formidable blocking support.

 

 

3. Recruiting Domino Effects – After snagging a talent this rare, Texas’s tight end board and overall recruiting credibility gets a massive boost.

 

 

4. Media Spotlight – Even unverified height claims create buzz. Flanigan’s stature may land the Longhorns national headlines and NIL attention as the season approaches.

 

 

 

 

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🧠 Flanigan’s Unique Background

 

A standout at Notre Dame De La Baie Academy in Green Bay, WI, Flanigan delivered across all facets of the game:

 

Offensively, he amassed over 500 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a junior, then 609 yards and 11 scores as a senior .

 

Defensively, he showcased versatility with 58 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception in a single season .

 

His athletic range extends to track and field—winning multiple state titles in shot put and discus—and even hockey, where he was part of championship teams .

 

 

He hails from a football lineage: his father, Jim Flanigan Jr., starred at Notre Dame and in the NFL, and his grandfather played in the league as well . Yet James is forging his own path—and Texas will be where he writes the next chapter.

 

 

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🔭 Reactions from the Field

 

Reddit fans were left stunned:

 

> “Honestly, why would a TE not want to go to ND? That place is a factory.”

“It was destined to be [Notre Dame]”—until Texas dropped the bombshell .

 

 

 

Media analysts are now revising the Longhorns’ offensive outlook. Landing a freak athlete of this caliber could reshape how Sarkisian deploys tight ends in his pro-style attack.

 

 

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🌪️ Looking Ahead: What to Expect in 2025

 

Spring Practice: Texas fans and coaches will be watching his blocking technique, catching consistency, and durability.

 

Fall Debut: Flanigan could burst onto the scene early, especially in red-zone off setups and mismatch packages.

 

Recruiting Ripple: Will future tight end prospects follow suit? Texas’s credibility just rose exponentially.

 

 

 

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✅ Final Takeaway

 

James Flanigan’s commitment to Texas is more than a recruitment—it’s a cultural flex. Whether or not he truly stands 8′6″ or weighs 250 pounds, his unique blend of size, athleticism, and pedigree makes him one of the most coveted recruits in years. By flipping from Notre Dame and rejecting other blue‑bloods like Penn State, Flanigan has elevated the Longhorns’ national profile and announced their intent to build a dominant, mismatch-driven offense.

 

Texas has landed a generational talent—and that could reshape their offensive identity for seasons to come. Keep your eyes on Austin: with Flanigan in the fold, the Longhorns just got a whole lot taller…and scarier.