Richie Flanigan is probably the least surprising commit that Notre Dame could land in the 2027 recruiting cycle because of his family ties to the program, but just because it comes as no surprise, it doesn’t mean it’s not a big deal.
Richie is different from his older brother James and has a game more similar to his father Jim, a former stud defensive lineman for the Irish. What they all have in common is the toughness they play with.
A multi-sport star with outstanding results in throwing events in track (167-4 in discus and 55-5 in shot put), Flanigan is a terrific addition to Notre Dame’s 2027 class.
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 265
Projected Position: Defensive tackle
ISD Grade: 90 (4-star)
National Average Grade: 89.3 (3-star)
What he does best:
He’s a big, strong kid. He can be a beast at the point of attack, which is evident at defensive tackle and as an offensive lineman.
He flashes solid lateral quickness as a pass rusher.
He’s a very hard player to move off the line of scrimmage because of the violence, leverage, and technique he plays with off the ball. He holds up very well against double teams.
What he needs to improve:
Part of playing multiple sports means he isn’t putting as much into adding weight, but it’s going to be important for him. I don’t see it being an obstacle for him by the time he gets to Notre Dame.
He’s unrefined with his hand usage as a pass rusher and has a lot of work to do in that department, but it’s not uncommon for someone at this stage of his development.
What’s his ceiling?
Flanigan is obviously someone who has been circled as a prospect because of his last name, but even without it, he plays all day tough on the field. You can see the DNA without knowing who his Dad is.
I think he can develop into a very similar type of player to his Dad or for people unfamiliar with Jim’s game, a bigger Kurt Hinish. I’m excited to watch his development over the next couple of years before he gets to Notre Dame and think he has a chance to become a beast once he’s focused on only football in college.
Who he could be:
Former Notre Dame DL Jim Flanigan
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