As the Notre Dame football team gets further into its spring practice, there's one position that is very much up for grabs. Cooper Flanagan wants to make sure that by the time fall camp arrives, tight end is no longer an open spot. Coming off an Achilles tear last season, the veteran Irish player believes this is the year he can show everyone what he's capable of.
Flanagan is one of several ND players who think there's a chance to reach out and grab a starting spot. He's not wrong, but first, he'll need to show that he's 100% healthy. Then he wants to show the rest.
"Just trying to make a name from myself," the Notre Dame tight end told Rivals' analyst Jack Soble. "Show this offense and prove to everyone that I can be a dominant tight end."
Notre Dame football's Cooper Flanagan is back and ready after Achilles cost him all of 2025
It's been a while since Flanagan got to show what he can do.Â
Running a corner route in the Sugar Bowl in January of 2025, Flanagan planted his left foot and felt the twinge that would haunt his career for the next year plus. He jogged off the field and thought, "Something's not right." When he came back out from the injury tent, he was on crutches, and he was being consoled by his Notre Dame teammates.
There was hope several times in the 2025 season that Flanagan could return to the field. However, he was never able to show that he was all the way back. Now, he's back on the practice field and showing what he can do. Should he shine and get some real playing time, it would be a first as a member of the Fighting Irish.
There is reason to believe that, assuming he stays healthy, he could be a real weapon. Flanagan has just five career catches, but once the ball comes his way, he tends to find the end zone. Along with those five catches, Flanagan has 74 yards and 3 touchdowns.Â
Notre Dame would love to have a Cooper Flanagan, who's a big-time weapon in the red zone. If he can do that, the starting tight end job is his to grab.