Notre Dame-bound lineman from St. Xavier dies in fall

PANAMA CITY, Fla. — Cincinnati St. Xavier offensive lineman Matt James died Friday, April 2, in a fall from a hotel balcony in Panama City Beach, Fla., The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

James, 17, a Notre Dame recruit, died almost instantly after falling from a third-floor balcony at about 6:25 p.m. at the Days Inn on Front Beach Road, according to police reports cited by WJHG-TV in Panama City.

Friday marked the first day of St. Xavier’s spring break. Word spread quickly throughout the community as classmates and football fans mourned the standout player.

Luke Massa, St. Xavier’s senior quarterback last fall and a fellow Notre Dame recruit, was with James in Florida. “Luke is devastated,” Massa’s father, Gary, said. “He lost one of his best friends.”

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