Manhattan High star senior JJ Dunnigan, one of the top football prospects in the state and a long-time Kansas football commit, announced Monday evening that he has decommitted from the University of Kansas.
Dunnigan shared the news on social media, posting a written statement thanking the Jayhawks’ staff for their role in his recruitment while explaining that his decision came after considerable thought.
“After much prayer and thoughtful conversations with my family, I’ve decided to decommit from the University of Kansas,” Dunnigan wrote. “I’m truly grateful for everything the coaches and staff have done for me and for the way they’ve treated me throughout this process.
“This was not an easy decision, but I believe it’s the best one for me and my future.”
The 6-foot-2, 185-pound safety and wide receiver originally committed to KU on Jan. 2, choosing the Jayhawks over a host of offers that included Kansas State, Nebraska, Stanford, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. Since that commitment, Dunnigan’s stock has continued to rise nationally. He has added scholarship offers from Colorado, Miami, Georgia Tech and Florida, and according to Rivals, has already scheduled official visits to Colorado and Miami.
Rated as the No. 2 player in Kansas for the Class of 2026 and a four-star recruit, Dunnigan has drawn widespread attention for his athleticism and versatility. He has been a key two-way contributor for Manhattan since breaking into the varsity lineup, excelling in all three phases.
Last season, Dunnigan was named the Centennial League Defensive Player of the Year and earned first-team honors at defensive back, wide receiver and returner. He was also a first-team defensive back and second-team receiver on The Mercury’s All-Flint Hills roster.
Despite battling injuries this fall, Dunnigan has remained one of the Indians’ most impactful players. He has appeared in four of Manhattan’s eight games, totaling nine receptions for 226 yards and five touchdowns — an average of 25.1 yards per catch. On special teams, he’s returned four punts for 121 yards (30.3 average), including a touchdown, giving him 422 all-purpose yards. Defensively, he’s added 28 tackles and a sack, anchoring the secondary when healthy.
Dunnigan returned to the lineup earlier this month and made an immediate difference in Manhattan’s surge to end the regular season, including a 43-0 road win at Washburn Rural last Friday.
With the decommitment, Dunnigan now reopens his recruitment as one of the most sought-after prospects in the Midwest. His blend of speed, length and two-way production has made him a priority target for several Power Four programs as the 2026 cycle continues to heat up.
For now, his attention returns to Manhattan’s postseason run, where the Indians will open the Class 6A playoffs this week riding a two-game shutout streak and renewed momentum.