Ryan Flournoy

Ryan Flournoy Bio

Ryan Flournoy is an American professional football wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). Born on October 27, 1999, in Hazel Crest, Illinois, Flournoy has emerged as a promising young talent in professional football following an impressive collegiate career across three programs. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round (216th overall) of the 2024 NFL Draft and has steadily developed into a reliable contributor for the team.

Early Life and Background

Ryan Flournoy grew up in Hazel Crest, Illinois, as a devoted fan of the Chicago Bears. He was inspired by watching highlights of legendary players Gale Sayers and Walter Payton, which fueled his ambition. Flournoy made the decision to pursue a career in the NFL at just five years old, marking the beginning of his football journey. He first picked up the sport at that young age and continued developing his skills throughout his youth.

Flournoy attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School in Flossmoor, Illinois, where he played wide receiver while also competing in track and field. During his high school years, he saw limited playing time in his early seasons before having his best year as a senior, recording 28 receptions for 480 yards and seven touchdowns. Despite this strong final season, he received limited attention from college recruiters and ultimately enrolled at NCAA Division II Central Missouri to continue his football career.

Path to American Football

Flournoy redshirted his first year at Central Missouri in 2018. He missed the start of his second season due to injury and returned to post 17 receptions for 170 yards while dealing with a partially-torn ACL. The 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting Flournoy to transfer to Iowa Western Community College in 2021. At Iowa Western, he emerged as the team’s top receiver, compiling 32 receptions for 545 yards and five touchdowns while helping the Reivers reach the NJCAA national championship, where he scored all of the team’s touchdowns in the championship game.

Following his junior college season, Flournoy received one offer to play NCAA Division I football at the FCS level, accepting a scholarship to transfer to Southeast Missouri State in 2022. He immediately became a top player for the Redhawks, earning team captain honors in his first season. In 2022, he recorded 61 catches for 984 yards and seven touchdowns, earning first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference recognition. He returned for his final season in 2023, earning a spot on The Athletic’s college football “Freaks List” entering the year. Despite missing time due to a broken hand, he recorded 57 receptions for 839 yards and six touchdowns and was again named first-team All-OVC.

Flournoy graduated from Southeast Missouri State in December 2023 with a degree in general studies. He participated in several prestigious college all-star events, including the Hula Bowl, East-West Shrine Bowl, and 2024 Senior Bowl, where he was among the only FCS players invited and became the first Southeast Missouri State player selected since 1998. He also received an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine.

Ryan Flournoy Career

Rookie Season (2024)

Ryan Flournoy was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round with the 216th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He joined a Cowboys wide receiver room looking to develop young talent behind established players. During his rookie campaign, Flournoy appeared in 11 games, recording 10 receptions for 102 yards while learning the professional game and adjusting to the speed and complexity of NFL offenses.

Breakthrough Season (2025)

Flournoy was waived by the Cowboys during final roster cuts on August 28, 2025, but was immediately re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on September 13, 2025, a move that would prove significant for his career trajectory. In Week 5 against the New York Jets, Flournoy logged six receptions for a then career-high 114 yards, surpassing his entire rookie-season receiving total in a single game.

His momentum continued into Week 9 when the Cowboys faced the Arizona Cardinals. Flournoy caught his first career NFL touchdown on a five-yard reception from quarterback Dak Prescott, a milestone that validated his journey from limited high school recruit to professional player. On December 4, 2025, in a Week 14 Thursday Night Football matchup against the Detroit Lions, Flournoy delivered his best professional performance, setting career highs with 12 targets, nine receptions, and 115 receiving yards.

Dallas Cowboys (2024-Present)

Since joining the Cowboys organization through the 2024 NFL Draft, Flournoy has shown consistent improvement and earned increased opportunities within the offense. His promotion from the practice squad to the active roster in 2025 marked a turning point in his career, as he transformed from a developmental player into a reliable target for Prescott. The Cowboys have valued his size, hands, and ability to create mismatches against smaller defensive backs.

Driving Style and Strengths

At 6 feet 1 inch and 205 pounds, Flournoy possesses the size to win contested catches and create difficult matchups against smaller defensive backs. His collegiate track background contributed to his speed and explosiveness, while his hands and body control allow him to make difficult receptions in traffic. Flournoy demonstrates strong route-running ability and has shown competence after the catch, making him a versatile weapon in the Cowboys’ passing attack.

Notable Events and Milestones

Flournoy’s 2025 season featured several career-defining moments. His 114-yard performance against the Jets marked the first time he exceeded 100 receiving yards in a game, while his first career touchdown against the Cardinals represented the culmination of his journey from the junior college ranks to NFL contributor. His 115-yard game against the Lions solidified his standing as a starting-caliber receiver in the league.

Ryan Flournoy Career Wins

Throughout his football career spanning junior college and FCS competition, Flournoy accumulated impressive statistics and earned recognition at every level. His professional career continues to build upon this foundation of success.

College Highlights

At the junior college level with Iowa Western Community College in 2021, Flournoy was the team’s top receiver with 32 receptions for 545 yards and five touchdowns, helping lead the Reivers to the NJCAA national championship game. At Southeast Missouri State, he became a two-time first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection, accumulating 118 receptions for 1,823 yards and 13 touchdowns across two seasons. In his 2022 breakout season, he earned conference Player of the Year consideration after his 984-yard, seven-touchdown campaign.

Professional Statistics

Through the 2025 season, Flournoy has recorded 50 receptions for 577 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns in his NFL career. He has also contributed 25 rushing yards. His progression from 102 receiving yards as a rookie to becoming a consistent contributor in his second season demonstrates his development trajectory.

Ryan Flournoy Family

Personal Life

Ryan Flournoy graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in December 2023 with a degree in general studies. His journey from a young fan watching Bears highlights in Hazel Crest to an NFL player demonstrates his dedication to the sport from an early age. Flournoy has credited his resilience through injuries and transfers as shaping his professional mindset.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season represented Ryan Flournoy’s emergence as a legitimate NFL contributor. After beginning the year on the practice squad following his waiver and re-signing in late August, Flournoy earned a promotion to the active roster in September and never looked back. His instant impact was evident in his Week 5 performance against the Jets, where his 114 receiving yards more than doubled his entire rookie-season output.

Throughout the season, Flournoy developed into a trusted target for Dak Prescott, culminating in his first career touchdown reception in Week 9 against the Cardinals. His consistency was perhaps best exemplified by his Week 14 Thursday Night Football performance against Detroit, where his nine receptions and 115 yards demonstrated his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. The Cowboys’ coaching staff came to rely on his size and reliability in crucial offensive situations.

As the season progressed, Flournoy established himself as a valuable piece of the Cowboys’ offensive plans moving forward. His combination of size, hands, and football intelligence positioned him for an expanded role in the 2026 season and beyond. His career trajectory from sixth-round draft pick to reliable starting receiver exemplifies the developmental pathway the Cowboys envisioned when they selected him in 2024.