Quite a bit has been made this spring of the starting running back slot for the Notre Dame football team. However, another position that's almost as important to the team's offense attack is tight end. While there's no official frontrunner for who might be the starting TE this year, it looks like Cooper Flanagan is grabbing quite a bit of attention this spring.
When Irish head coach Marcus Freeman spoke to the media earlier this week following another spring practice, he was asked if anyone had separated themselves in the tight end room. Flanagan was the first name from his mouth.
"You miss the toughness and tenacity Cooper Flanagan brings to a practice," the Notre Dame coach said. "He's back to old Coop."
Marcus Freeman says Cooper Flanagan looks like old Coop again for Notre Dame football
Flanagan missed the entire 2025 season, despite there being several times during the campaign when the Irish thought he might see the field. Before last season, the tight end saw limited action; however, when he did get a catch, he tended to make the most of it.
In 2024, Flanagan had just 4 catches for 55 yards. However, he turned two of those catches for 2 touchdowns. In 2023, he had just 1 catch for 19 yards and a TD. In other words, the tight end has converted 60% of his receptions into scoring plays.
Last year's starting tight end, Eli Raridon has left big shoes to fill. He was third on the team in catches with 32 and converted those receptions to 482 yards. However, he wasn't able to find the end zone.
If Cooper Flanagan can continue to show a nose for the endzone while snatching the tight end spot for Notre Dame in 2026, he could only make the Fighting Irish offense more effective.