Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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60 MARCH 2025 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED 2025 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE BY TODD D. BURLAGE F or a glimpse into the confi- dence level that freshman tight end James Flanigan will bring with him to Notre Dame, simply revisit a comment he made the day he verbally com- mitted to the Irish in October 2023. "They really want me there," he said. "I'm their No. 1 guy at tight end, and then also at D-end." I n d e e d , a s a m u l t i - s p o r t standout and a two-way football star out of Green Bay (Wis.) Notre Dame de la Baie Academy, Flani- gan probably could play on either side of the ball when he arrives at Notre Dame this June. That's because he excelled doing both during his senior season when he led the Tritons to the Wisconsin Divi- sion 3 state championship, a game that will forever hold special meaning to Fla- nigan and his entire family. The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder turned in an overpowering performance in the 49-28 victory over Waukesha (Wis.) Catholic Memorial, leading the team with 9 tackles (8 solo), 4 stops for loss, 2 sacks and 1 quarterback hurry. James Flanigan's father, Jim Fla- nigan — a 10-year NFL veteran and a third-round pick in the 1994 NFL Draft at defensive tackle out of Notre Dame — serves as the defensive line coach at Notre Dame de la Baie Academy where he coached James and his sophomore son, Ritchie, together this past season. "This has been one of the best years of my life," Jim Flanigan said of coaching both of his boys, "in terms of just being able to spend a lot of time with my kids, teach them what I know, have some success on the field." That on-field success came on both sides of the ball for James this season. At tight end, he led the Tritons with 25 catches for 609 yards and 11 touchdowns. For his efforts, Flanigan became the first tradi- tional tight end to ever win the Al Toon Award, which is presented to Wisconsin's most outstand- ing pass catcher and is typically reserved for wide receivers. On defense, Flanigan com- piled 61 tackles, 19 stops for loss, 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery. Going all the way back to his grandfather, Jim Flanigan Sr., who won Super Bowl II with the Green Bay Packers, football runs in the family. That said, support, freedom and trust also will always remain rooted within this tight-knit clan. "It's important to let James and Ritchie find their own way," a proud papa said in a story for NBC26, "help guide them but not pressure them, or force them to do anything." ✦ Flanigan (right) — seen here with his father, Jim Flanigan, who was a defensive lineman at Notre Dame in the early 1990s — helped Green Bay (Wis.) Notre Dame de la Baie Academy win state championships in both football and hockey during his prep career. PHOTO COURTESY TOM LEMMING James Flanigan Is Forging His Own Path JAMES FLANIGAN TIGHT END 6-5 ∙ 230 NOTRE DAME DE LA BAIE ACADEMY GREEN BAY, WIS. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE Industry ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 130 7 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 131 7 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 118 7 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 109 2 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ — 10 2 STATISTICS • Finished with 25 receptions for 609 yards and 11 touchdowns while helping the Tritons win a Wisconsin Division 3 state championship in 2024. Also had 61 tackles (42 solo), 19 stops for loss, 13 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced safety and 1 pass broken up. • Caught 27 passes for 503 yards and 6 touch- downs as a junior. Added 58 tackles (32 solo), 6 stops for loss, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception. NOTABLE • Won the Wisconsin Sports Network Al Toon Award, given to the state's most outstanding se- nior wide receiver or tight end in 2024. • As senior, was first-team Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Large School All-State on of- fense and honorable mention on defense. • Co-Offensive Player of the Year in Fox River Classic Conference in 2024. • Played in the Navy All-American Bowl in 2024. • Won Wisconsin Division 2 state title in the dis- cus (177 feet, 10 inches) as a sophomore and in the shot put (59 feet, 2.75 inches) as a junior. • His father, Jim Flanigan, played for Notre Dame from 1990-93 and 10 seasons in the NFL for the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles. • His grandfather, Jim Flanigan Sr., played in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints and Green Bay Packers, where he was a member of the Super Bowl II Championship team. RECRUITMENT • Committed to the Fighting Irish on Oct. 21, 2023. • Chose the Irish over Michigan, Penn State, Stanford and Wisconsin. • Visited Notre Dame 10 times as a recruit, in- cluding for his official visit on June 7, 2024. 2025 PROJECTION • Expected to contribute on offense, especially as a blocking tight end, and will also have a role on special teams. THEY SAID IT On3 director of scouting and rankings Charles Power: "Going back and looking at his multi- sport profile, it adds pivotal context to the type of athlete he is at his size as a tight end, which is a position where we prioritize physical traits and athleticism. "This guy is a twitchy, powerful athlete. He's a starter on a state-champion hockey team. When you look at his multi-sport profile and watch his football film, you see the physicality he plays with. And I think he's the best run-blocking tight end in this class. His physicality, on-field skill set, athletic profile and upside create a well-rounded tight end prospect. "He projects as a true in-line tight end who can play attached, be a plus-blocker and be a mismatch in the passing game."