Fourteen months is a lifetime in college football, but for Notre Dame tight end Cooper Flanagan, the wait is finally over. After tearing his Achilles tendon during the 2024 postseason, Flanagan marks his triumphant return to the practice field this spring.
Cooper Flanagan Makes an Instant Impact in Notre Dame’s Spring Practice
Flanagan’s absence in 2025 was a significant blow to an Irish offense that traditionally treats the tight end position as its North Star. But as Marcus Freeman’s team makes a push for its College Football Playoff bid, the tight end’s return is a blessing. Flanagan has officially declared himself 100%.
Jack Soble reported that Flanagan said that he was feeling “100%.”
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Before the injury, Flanagan was trending toward stardom. In 2024, he appeared in 13 games, starting five and carving out a reputation as a violent blocker with reliable hands, snagging touchdowns against Purdue and Virginia. Now a junior, he returns to a room that is surprisingly thin on experience.
Flanagan’s presence was felt immediately during Friday’s practice, not just through his play but through his temperament. A skirmish during drills highlighted a grit that the coaching staff has sorely missed.
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Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock didn’t mince words about the exchange: “That’s why I love him (Cooper Flanagan). He’s a tough dude that doesn’t like to be pushed around.”
As Notre Dame prepares for a 2026 playoff push, Flanagan fits as the ultimate safety valve for Heisman-hopeful quarterback CJ Carr. If Flanagan can maintain his health, his physicality will provide the incremental gains needed to transform a 10-win team into a national title contender.
Under Freeman, Notre Dame has transitioned from a program of close calls to one of no doubt. After a heartbreaking 2025 season where a 10-game winning streak wasn’t enough to overcome an 0-2 start, Freeman’s mantra for 2026 is clear: leave the committee no choice.
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By retaining Denbrock and doubling down on a physical defensive identity led by stars like Adon Shuler, Freeman has created a roster that looks and feels like the SEC giants.
The 2026 schedule, featuring a high-stakes rematch with Miami, is designed to be the final hurdle in Freeman’s quest to prove that Notre Dame can not only reach the 12-team playoff but win it all. PFSN’s CFB Playoff Meter has Freeman’s Notre Dame making the playoffs at 82.5%.
