You know that feeling when you're watching a Notre Dame game and a 6-foot-6, 255-pound human being basically erases a defensive end from the screen? That’s usually Cooper Flanagan.
While everyone is busy tracking the highlight-reel catches of Eli Raridon or waiting for the next superstar receiver to emerge, Flanagan has been quietly doing the dirty work that makes the entire Marcus Freeman era function. But honestly, his journey over the last year has been a total roller coaster.
If you haven't been keeping a close eye on the injury reports, you might have missed why the 2025 season was such a weird one for him. It basically all traces back to one brutal moment in the postseason.
What Happened to Cooper Flanagan?
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the Achilles.
Back on January 2, 2025, during the Sugar Bowl win against Georgia, Flanagan went down. It wasn't just a tweak. He tore his left Achilles tendon. For a guy whose game is built on leverage and power at the point of attack, that’s a devastating blow.
Most people thought his 2025 season was over before it started. I mean, usually, an Achilles is a 12-month recovery. Period. But Flanagan is built differently. He spent nine months in the shadows, grinding through rehab, and somehow managed to suit up for the USC game on October 18, 2025.
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He played less than seven snaps. It was a "he's back" moment that ended up being more of a cameo.
After that USC appearance, he dealt with some setbacks. He was "questionable" for weeks, lingering in street clothes during games against Navy and Virginia. Eventually, the staff decided to play it smart. He ended up redshirting the 2025 season to preserve his eligibility.
- 2024 Stats: 13 games, 5 starts, 4 catches, 55 yards, 2 TDs.
- The Signature Play: That 28-yard touchdown strike against Purdue where he looked less like a blocker and more like a vertical threat.
- The Reality: His value isn't in the box score; it's in the run-blocking grades.
The De La Salle Connection
If you follow high school football, you know De La Salle in Concord, California. They don't just play football there; they run a veer-based, triple-option-adjacent system that demands tight ends who can block like offensive tackles.
That is where Cooper Flanagan was forged.
He wasn't some 7-on-7 diva. He was a multi-sport kid who actually grew up playing lacrosse. Fun fact: he was a standout lacrosse player before he realized his 6-foot-6 frame was essentially a cheat code on the football field. Because he played in such a run-heavy high school offense, his receiving skills were "hidden" from recruiters for a long time.
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But Notre Dame’s scouts saw the hands. They saw a kid who could pluck the ball out of the air in traffic and then immediately turn around and pave a road for a running back.
Why 2026 is the "Make or Break" Year
So, where does he fit now?
The tight end room in South Bend is getting crowded. You’ve got the senior leader Eli Raridon, the Arkansas transfer Ty Washington, and the "legacy" freshman James Flanigan (yes, the names are confusingly similar).
But here is the thing: Ty Washington has struggled as a blocker. James Flanigan is still learning the ropes of college-level physicality. Cooper Flanagan is the only one who truly balances both worlds. He’s the "Y" tight end that offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock loves to use to create mismatches.
Basically, if Flanagan is 100% healthy by spring ball 2026, he’s not just a backup. He’s a starter. He allows the Irish to run "12 personnel" (two tight ends) without sacrificing the passing game.
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What the Scouts See
- Frame: Legit 6-6, 255 lbs. He hasn't even hit his physical ceiling yet.
- Blocking: He doesn't just "engage" defenders; he finishes them. He’s got that "mean streak" coaches talk about.
- Hands: Surprisingly soft. He’s a "hands catcher," meaning he doesn't let the ball get into his chest.
The Actionable Outlook for Fans
If you're looking for the "breakout" player for the upcoming season, stop looking at the wideouts for a second. Watch the tight end rotation.
The smartest thing you can do as a fan is watch the left tackle. Often, Flanagan aligns next to the tackle to help in pass protection or to kick out an edge rusher on a power run. If he’s moving fluidly and getting low in his stance, the Achilles is fine, and the Notre Dame offense is going to be significantly more dangerous.
Keep an eye on the spring practice reports. If Flanagan is taking first-team reps in March, it’s a sign that the redshirt year did exactly what it was supposed to do: build a monster.
Key things to watch in 2026:
- Snap Count: Does he surpass 30 snaps per game early on?
- Red Zone Usage: With his height, he’s a natural target for CJ Carr or whoever wins the QB job.
- The "Flanagan vs. Flanigan" confusion: Get used to the announcers messing this up every Saturday.
The path back from an Achilles is never straight, but Cooper Flanagan has already shown he’s ahead of the curve. He’s the glue guy. And in 2026, the glue might finally turn into the star.