Ryan Flournoy

Flournoy was born on October 27, 1999, and grew up in Hazel Crest, Illinois. He grew up a fan of the Chicago Bears and watched highlights of players such as Gale Sayers and Walter Payton, deciding his goal was to become a National Football League (NFL) player at age five. He first played football when he was five and continued while attending Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Illinois, where he played wide receiver. ==College career==

Flournoy redshirted his first year at Central Missouri, 2018. He missed the start of his second season due to injury and posted 17 receptions for 170 yards upon returning, while dealing with a partially-torn ACL. The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Flournoy transferred to Iowa Western Community College in 2021. Flournoy had one offer to play NCAA Division I football, from the FCS Southeast Missouri State Redhawks, and transferred there in 2022. He became a top player for the team, becoming captain in his first year and recording 61 catches for 984 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022 while being chosen first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). He returned for a final season in 2023, being named to The Athletic's college football "Freaks List" entering the year. He repeated as a first-team all-conference selection despite missing time due to a broken hand, ending the year with 57 catches for 839 yards and six touchdowns. At the Senior Bowl, he was among the only FCS players and was the first Southeast Missouri State player selected since 1998. ==Professional career==

Flournoy was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round (216th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft. He made 11 appearances for Dallas during his rookie campaign, recording 10 receptions for 102 scoreless yards. Flournoy was waived by the Cowboys on August 28, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on September 13. In Week 5 against the New York Jets, Flournoy logged six receptions for a then career-high 114 yards, more receiving yards than he recorded in 11 games during his rookie season. In Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals, Flournoy caught his first career touchdown on a five-yard reception from Dak Prescott. On December 4, 2025, in a Week 14 Thursday Night Football matchup at the Detroit Lions, Flournoy recorded career highs in targets (12), receptions (9) and yards (115). Regular season ==References==