Irish recruit, 17, dies after fall in Florida
ESPN.com news services
Notre Dame recruit
Matt James died Friday in Panama City, Fla., after falling from a hotel balcony, a high school spokesman has confirmed. James, 17, was vacationing in Florida for spring break.
A 6-foot-6, 291-pound offensive tackle, James was named USA Today first-team All-American after leading Cincinnati's St. Xavier to a No. 4 ranking in the final state poll.
James, an offensive tackle from Cincinnati St. Xavier,
was named a first-team All-American by USA Today as a senior.
©John Albright/Icon SMIMatt
Students at St. Xavier High School gathered on its football field Friday night to remember James, spokesman Mark Motz said Saturday, according to The Associated Press.
James, 17, apparently died instantly after he fell from the Days Inn Motel at about 6:30 p.m. ET, police told WJHG-TV in Panama City.
Police had not confirmed James' identity as of Saturday morning, but Motz said the school was "devastated" by the news. Motz said the impromptu vigil was organized as word of James' death spread through social-networking sites such as Facebook.
"When one of their own is in trouble, they band together," Motz said.
The father of fellow Notre Dame recruit and St. Xavier quarterback
Luke Massa told the Cincinnati Enquirer that the teammates were among several dozen students on vacation together.
"Luke is devastated," Gary Massa told the newspaper. "He lost one of his best friends."
James, a senior, chose Notre Dame over Ohio State, committing on Feb. 3 on national signing day.
"It was a really tough decision," James said then, according to the Enquirer report. "... I like the situation of being in the first class with Coach [brian] Kelly there."
James' family learned of his death during a family gathering for the 50th birthday party for one of James' uncles, according to the Chicago Tribune.
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