Notre Dame legacy recruit, four-star TE James Flanigan signs with the Irish
Another Notre Dame legacy recruit has opted to join Marcus Freeman’s program. On Wednesday, the Fighting Irish announced the signing of four-star tight end James Flanigan, the son of former Notre Dame defensive lineman Jim Flanigan.
The younger Flanigan attends Green Bay (Wis.) Notre Dame de la Baie Academy and is the No. 6 tight end and No. 117 overall player nationally and No. 1 prospect in Wisconsin in 2025, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services.
The 6-foot-5½, 245-pound Flanigan is the highest-ranked tight end recruit the Irish have signed in the Freeman era.
Former Notre Dame offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Gerad Parker offered Flanigan a scholarship during the program’s “Pot of Gold” Day on March 17, 2023. He was one of about 65 recruits to report a new offer from the Irish during the program’s St. Patrick’s Day-themed recruiting event.
During his recruitment, Flanigan also reported scholarship offers from Illinois, Iowa, Iowa State, Louisville, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Stanford, and Wisconsin. However, he opted to follow in his father’s footsteps, verbally committing to the Irish on Oct. 21, 2023.
His primary recruiter from Notre Dame was offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock. Defensive coordinator Al Golden and offensive line coach Joe Rudolph assisted Flanigan’s recruitment.
Details on Notre Dame 2025 tight end signee James Flanigan
Flanigan will officially enroll at the University of Notre Dame in June following a historic athletic career at Notre Dame Academy.
This past season, he led the Tritons to a state football championship in Wisconsin Division 3 by dominating on offense and defense. He led the team with 25 catches for 609 yards and 11 touchdowns. Flanigan had 85 receptions for 1,832 yards and 28 touchdowns for his career.
Top 10
- 1Breaking
Jackson Arnold
OU QB to enter transfer portal
- 2New
Ben Herbstreit
POTUS sends heartfelt note
- 3
Lincoln Riley
USC coach talks job rumors
- 4Hot
Jahkeem Stewart
USC lands five-star DL
- 5
Mike Gundy status
BOR meeting sparks speculation
When the Irish accepted a verbal commitment from Washington (Okla.) High four-star tight end Nate Roberts in June 2023, there was a thought Flanigan could play defense. He further proved those capabilities as a senior, racking up 61 tackles (42 solo), 19 stops for loss, 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.
Roberts decommitted from the Irish in August 2023 and signed with Ohio State on Wednesday.
Ultimately, the University of Notre Dame preferred Flanigan on offense and made a strong push for his pledge in 2023. This past season, he won the Al Toon Award, presented to Wisconsin’s most outstanding senior wide receiver or tight end. Flanigan was the first traditional tight end to win it.
Flanigan is an outstanding track and field athlete, winning a 2024 Wisconsin Division 2 state championship in the 12-pound shot put with a 59-foot, 2.75-inch mark. His 52-foot, 7.25-inch toss in 2023 finished second.
Also, Flanigan finished second in the discus in the 2024 Wisconsin Division 2 state championships with a 170-foot, 10-inch mark. He won it in 2023 with a 177-foot, 10-inch throw. Flanigan also competes in the 100-meter dash (11.44-second PR) and 4×100 relay.
Flanigan helped guide the Tritons hockey team to a Wisconsin Division 1 state championship the last two seasons. In 2022-23 he had 13 goals and 19 assists. Last season, he scored 12 goals and had 16 helpers.
