Local police are still investigating the incident, according to wjhd.com, the Web site of the local ABC television station.
James, a 6-foot-8, 290-pound offensive tackle from Cincinnati (Ohio) St. Xavier, was one of the top recruits in Notre Dame's incoming class, according to IrishIllustrated. He was ranked as the No. 86 overall recruit by Rivals.com in the Class of 2010, No. 14 at his position, and was a US Army All-American.
James would have been 18 on April 9.
According to Cincinnati.com, the Web site of the Cincinnati Enquirer, teammate and fellow Notre Dame recruit Luke Massa was with James when he fell.
"Luke is devastated," Massa's father, Gary, told the paper Friday night. "He lost one of his best friends."
Police had not confirmed James' identity as of Saturday morning.
Whit Majors, a forensic investigator with the office of the Florida State Medical Examiner handling the inivestigation, confirmed to the Associated Press that the person who died around 6:30 pm Friday was indeed someone on spring break, but he did not release the victim's name .
The cause of the fall is still being investigated. A toxicology test is planned, Majors said.
St. Xavier, a national high school football power, said in a release issued late Friday night that several hundred students, faculty and friends joined in a circle at midfield of St. Xavier Stadium and held lit candles while sharing stories of James before offering a prayer.
The release said tough times often bring out the best in the school.
"It's amazing how quickly the word spread and how quickly the community came together. Lyrics in our alma mater say 'we are Xavier men forever,' and I think this gathering showed how much these guys take that to heart. For this many people to appear on the first night of spring break is a testament both to Matt and to the strength of the St. X community in difficult times.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the James family in this horrific time of loss. The entire James family - immediate and extended - has always been good to St. X. We hope we can be of comfort in their time of need. We are a faith community and this certainly is a test of that faith, but we will get through it together. We are all devastated by the news, but grateful for the gift of having had Matt as a Xavier man. "
A prayer service was scheduled for Saturday morning at the school's chapel.
James, who had offers from many of the top college football programs, was considered an NFL prospect and would have competed for playing time as a true freshman, Rivals.com football recruiting expert Barry Every said.
"Linemen this big and athletic do not grow on trees, so he should get a chance to compete for a spot on the two-deep as a freshman. Look for him to be a solid three-year starter with serious NFL potential barring an injury ".
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly - who previously coached at Cincinnati - expressed his sorrow in a statement released by the university:
"The Notre Dame football program is in a state of disbelief and incredible sadness with the news of this tragic event," he said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Matt James in this most trying of times.
"On a personal level, I got to know Matt quite well over the past few years and he was a wonderful young man from a great family. Matt was an extremely talented person who was very bright and possessed a great dry sense of humor. He could not wait to join the Notre Dame family.
"My prayers and deepest condolences go out to the James family as well as the St. Xavier High School and Cincinnati communities."
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