Notre Dame TE Cooper Flanagan Fueled by Gratitude After Challenging Comeback

It’s been a journey for Cooper Flanagan. 

The California native played in 26 games during his first two seasons on campus, but then suffered an Achilles injury during Notre Dame’s Sugar Bowl win over Georgia in 2025. 

Flanagan worked his way back and returned in the fall, but after playing just four snaps against USC, he made the difficult decision to shut it down for the remainder of the season.

Now, he’s back.

On Thursday, Flanagan was moving at full speed on the Notre Dame practice fields.

“I feel great,” stated Flanagan. “I had a lot of hard work in the offseason to get myself where I am. A lot more work to go, but I'm feeling great.” 

The road back wasn’t easy.

There were dark moments, especially after his brief return against USC, when he realized he wasn’t ready to play. For the 6-foot-6, 250-pound tight end, the past year tested him in ways he hadn’t experienced before.

“It was definitely probably one of the hardest years of my life,” explained Flanagan. “It was the hardest year of my athletic career. As hard as it was and as brutal as it was, I think I learned a lot. I have a lot more gratitude and I’m so much more grateful to be out here to play this sport with my friends and teammates. I think I learned a lot from it.” 

One of the biggest lessons? Patience.

Recovering from an Achilles injury is a long, demanding process and Flanagan had to accept that progress wouldn’t come overnight.

“I learned I could push through everything,” Flanagan said. “I think the ability to be patient – there were days last year where it didn’t feel like I was making progress or I doubted I would be back or be the same person I was.”

Now entering his fourth year in the program, Flanagan is turning his focus toward helping lead the tight end room, but he doesn’t see himself as the typical veteran presence.

“I think it’s weird,” laughed Flanagan. “I still feel like I’m young. I’m not even 21 yet. The whole group is so tight. It doesn’t feel like there is one older guy, like maybe it has in the past.” 

That hasn’t stopped him from stepping into a leadership role. Flanagan has made a point to mentor younger players, including early enrollee Preston Fryzel, while continuing to sharpen his own game in the process.

“Coming in and working with Preston, I still learn things,” Flanagan said. “When we go watch film or go over plays, I feel I’m trying to help him, but he’s also helping me in a way.” 

With Eli Raridon off to the NFL, Notre Dame’s tight end roles are wide open this spring. For Flanagan, the priority is continuing to build confidence in his body, but he’s also finding comfort in Mike Denbrock’s system entering his third year in the offense.

“Year three is great,” explained Flanagan. “Year one, they throw a ton of new stuff at you, so you're just learning on the go. Now it's really focusing on the little things and little details that make an offense go from good to great. It's been fun to learn those little things.” 

Expectations are nothing new at Notre Dame, but Flanagan believes this group has the pieces to be special, especially on offense.

“I think it's great,” said Flanagan. “CJ (Carr) is leading the offense. Our O-line is always going to be our O-line. They're dominant. They're a fun group to be around. They love each other. We all love each other. Receivers are a great group. 

“I think it's all coming together. I think we all realize that we have a great team.” 

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