Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1543321
28 MARCH 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED POSITION BATTLE TO WATCH HOW SECURE IS TY WASHINGTON'S ROLE? Washington's role in his first sea- son since transferring to Notre Dame from Arkansas was the clear No. 2 job behind Eli Raridon. While Washington will get a chance to be the No. 1 tight end, he could just as easily become the third option. Washington's offen- sive grade of 47.0 was Notre Dame's worst among players with at least 100 offensive snaps last season. TIGHT ENDS 2026 S P R I N G F O O T B A L L O V E R V I E W BY TYLER JAMES N otre Dame football has built a tradition of tight ends stepping into the No. 1 role and eventually becoming NFL Draft picks. Former Irish tight end Eli Raridon, who started all 12 games last season, will likely continue a streak in April that spans back to the 2006 draft. The tight end with the most starts for the Irish in every season since 2004 has eventually become an NFL Draft selection. But the tight ends remaining on Notre Dame's roster have a long way to go before NFL conversations become realistic. The two most experienced tight ends — redshirt senior Ty Washington and redshirt junior COOPER FLANAGAN — have big question marks to answer in 2026. Can Washington become more than a blocking tight end? That was his primary role behind Raridon in 2025, and he wasn't necessarily that good at it. Pro Football Focus gave him a team-worst 43.6 run-blocking grade. Washington, who transferred to Notre Dame from Arkansas prior to last season, caught just 5 passes for 34 yards and 1 touchdown. Can Flanagan regain his form following his Achilles injury? He very well could have sup- planted Washington in the No. 2 role last season if his recovery from a torn Achilles in his left leg was in the past. But his return to play lasted just one game — four offen- sive snaps against Southern Cal Oct. 18 — before his injury kept him sidelined for the rest of the season. He showed potential in his first two seasons in South Bend with 5 catches for 74 yards and 3 touchdowns. Redshirt freshman James Flanigan seems more likely to push for playing time than redshirt sophomore Jack Larsen. The Irish showed restraint in using Flanigan in only four games in the regular season, and he likely would have been used as a blocker in the postseason if Notre Dame made the College Football Playoff. Larsen played offense only in six blowout victories. Freshman Preston Fryzel, who was more of a wide receiver than a tight end at Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic, will likely require a physical transformation before he makes an impact at Notre Dame. But Ian Premer, whom Rivals ranked as the No. 1 tight end in the country in the 2026 class, might be able to hit the ground running when he arrives in June. ✦ PERSONNEL UPDATE Position Coach: Mike Denbrock (3rd season) Returning Starter: None Projected New Starter: Cooper Flanagan (7 career starts) Returning Reserves: Ty Washington (8, 4 at Notre Dame), James Flanigan and Jack Larsen Departing Player: Eli Raridon (18) Transferred In: None Transferred Out: None Incoming Freshmen: Preston Fryzel and Ian Premer NUMBERS TO KNOW 0 Touchdown catches for Eli Raridon last season. Raridon became the first Notre Dame tight end to complete a sea- son with no touchdown receptions while leading his position group in receptions since Alizé Mack in 2015. Raridon caught 32 passes without a touchdown in 2025. Mack caught 13 passes without a touchdown in 2015. No. 1 Ranking for Notre Dame signee Ian Premer among tight ends in the 2026 class, according to Rivals. He's the first Rivals No. 1 tight end to sign with the Irish since Kyle Rudolph in 2008. 70 Offensive snaps for tight end Jack Larsen last season, per Pro Foot- ball Focus. Only two Notre Dame tight ends played more than 70 offensive snaps in 2025: Raridon (641) and Ty Washington (244). ALL EYES ON … REDSHIRT FRESHMAN JAMES FLANIGAN F l a n i g a n m i g h t b e Notre Dame's best block- ing tight end in 2026. He showed his capabilities last season, particularly with important blocks in meaningful moments against Pittsburgh in No- vember. That should make him an obvious addition in multiple tight end sets. If he can prove to be a pass catching threat, he could shoot to the top of the depth chart sooner rather than later. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER