A tight end is emerging as the starter for Notre Dame this spring
Notre Dame football has been through a handful of spring practices, and it looks like a tight end is emerging as the starter.
There are a few open starting jobs that Notre Dame football will have to fill, and while they most likely won’t be won in the spring, there has been a standout at tight end . As Marcus Freeman spoke to the media on Wednesday following another spring practice, he was asked if anyone has separated themselves in the tight end room. Cooper Flanagan was the first name from his mouth, as he’s the expected starter.
His junior season was almost completely lost due to an Achilles injury suffered against Georgia in the 2024 College Football Playoff, seeing the field against USC last fall. Freeman said that “Cooper makes James (Flanigan) better, which makes (Ty) Washington better, which makes Jack Larsen better, even Preston (Fryzel)… he’s back to old Coop, and he’s pretty special. ” Expect Flanagan to make a big impact this fall, as three of his five career catches have resulted in touchdowns.
Tight End U is alive and well. Freeman: You miss the toughness and tenacity Cooper Flanagan brings to a practice. He's back to old Coop.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) April 1, 2026 Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: A tight end is emerging as the starter for Notre Dame during spring