With Eli Raridon NFL-bound, the Irish search for a new reliable target. Discover how Cooper Flanagan and a wave of young talent are reshaping the rotation this fall.
Notre Dame lost yet another tight end to the NFL, with Eli Raridon becoming a third round NFL Draft pick after just one season as a starter. There are a lot of questions remaining at the position, but the Irish do also return - and welcome in - a lot of talent. With the spring behind us let's take a look at the projected depth chart for the Fighting Irish coming out of the spring.
RETURNING PRODUCTION
Ty Washington - 5 catches, 34 yards, 6.8 YPC, 1 TD
Cooper Flanagan - 4 catches, 55 yards, 13.8 YPC, 2 TD (2024)
Jack Larsen - 3 catches, 30 yards, 10.0 YPC, 0 TD
THE STARTER
Redshirt junior Cooper Flanagan went into the spring as the projected starter, but that was written in pencil after missing all but one game of 2025 while recovering from an Achilles injury. A strong spring performance has him more solidly on top of the depth chart coming out of the spring. Flanagan has a lot to prove as a pass catcher, but he showed off his top notch blocking skills this spring and he heads into the fall ready for a breakout season.
BATTLES REMAIN
There is no doubt that Notre Dame will continue playing two to three tight ends in the rotation, and also as part of their 12 and 13 personnel packages. What the lineup looks like after Flanagan remains to be seen after quality spring performances from several players.
Senior Ty Washington was the No. 2 tight end in 2025 and likely remains in that role after the spring, but he'll need to keep improving if he's going to hang onto the No. 2 role. Redshirt freshman James Flanigan has loads of potential as both a blocker and pass catcher. He showed flashes this spring and will be a player to watch in fall camp. I fully expect Flanigan to have a key role as a blocker this season, even if he's just the No. 3 tight end, but a strong fall camp could vault him up the depth chart.
Redshirt sophomore Jack Larsen also had a quality spring and has improved as a blocker. He has big time ball skills, but Larsen will need to continue showing he can handle the run game if he's going to force his way into the rotation. Freshman Preston Fryzel needs to add a lot of weight and strength, but his impressive speed, athleticism and pass catching skills was on full display this spring.
NEWCOMER
Notre Dame will add five-star freshman Ian Premer this summer and as long as he's healthy he'll have a chance to quickly vault up the depth chart. Premer was in a walking boot when he visited Notre Dame this spring, so that gives me pause a bit. But if healthy, Premer has a unique blend of size, blocking skill and elite athletic skill for his size, and his potential in the pass game is on the Tyler Eifert level.
———————
Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!