In a stunning twist that has rocked the college football landscape, 5-star tight end James Flanigan has officially rejected a last-minute offer from the Florida Gators and turned down long-standing interest from Penn State, choosing instead to commit to the Wigan Warriors—a rugby league club in England. The decision comes as a major surprise, given Flanigan’s elite status as one of the top tight ends in the 2025 recruiting class and his numerous Power Five offers.
Sources close to Flanigan reveal that his decision was driven by a growing passion for international competition and a desire to challenge himself in a different athletic arena. “I’ve always loved football, but rugby gives me a new fire,” Flanigan said in a statement. “Wigan’s vision and the opportunity to represent something globally bigger than myself really spoke to me.”
Flanigan, 6’5” and 240 pounds, was projected to be a game-changing player at the collegiate level, with many scouts comparing him to NFL star George Kittle. His unprecedented move has ignited debates about the future of college recruiting and the increasing allure of international sports leagues for top American athletes.
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