Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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30 APRIL/MAY 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED burgh Nov 15. Flanigan played a key role in some important runs, including running back Jeremiyah Love's 56-yard touchdown scamper. But that doesn't mean Flanigan will be stuck in that role entering his red- shirt freshman season in 2026. Though he only ran routes on six of the 51 offen- sive snaps he played in four games last season, he's working with tight ends coach Denbrock and assistant tight ends coach Harris Bivin on expanding his game this spring. "I was really trusted in the run game, but not so much the pass game," Flani- Players Signed: 25 Players Available In 2026: 21 (4 transfers) 2025 Recruiting Rankings: No. 12 by Rivals Industry, No. 12 by 247Sports and No. 15 by ESPN Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Matty Augustine OL 6-8 310 Played in only four games as reserve right tackle to qualify for a redshirt season; should be firmly in the two-deeps and pushing to be next man in at tackle or guard. Jerome Bettis Jr. WR 6-2 199 Made lone game appearance in blowout of Navy; spent season on scout team and offseason transforming his body, which could pay off in another year. Will Black OL 6-7 316 Started freshman season as a backup guard option but played right tackle in two late-game appearances and saw action in three games on special teams; started spring competing as the No. 1 left tackle. JaDon Blair S 6-5 205 Transferred to Missouri after playing in one game as a freshman; recorded 1 tackle in the 70-7 blowout of Syracuse. Christopher Burgess Jr. DL 6-4 300 Recorded 2 tackles in lone game appearance against Syracuse; added weight to move inside to defensive tackle after arriving as a defensive end. Elijah Burress WR 6-1 190 Caught 3 passes for 21 yards while playing in four games to redshirt; he could push to join field receiver rotation if he masters the playbook. Davion Dixon DL 6-2 316 Missed his first spring as an early enrollee with a pectoral injury and red- shirted after playing just one game; appeared to be buried on depth chart this spring. Madden Faraimo LB 6-2 235 Played in all 12 games on special teams and eight on defense with 16 tackles and 3 tackles for loss, including 2 sacks; wrist injury limited spring participa- tion but shouldn't prevent finding a role in 2026. James Flanigan TE 6-6 251 Played the maximum four games to attain redshirt season; challenged for significant role in spring competition. Dallas Golden CB 6-0 191 Contributed as a nickel cornerback in 10 games and tallied 22 tackles, 1 inter- ception and 2 passes broken up; pushed for starting job in spring. Blake Hebert QB 6-2 216 Didn't play a single snap on Saturdays while serving as scout team quarter- back; needs strong offseason to earn No. 2 role. Cam Herron OL 6-2 291 Redshirted with three games of action as a reserve center; expected to fall to third string when redshirt senior Ashton Craig regains health. Dominik Hulak DL 6-3 260 Didn't play a game while recovering from an unannounced knee surgery; needs to show progress or could get passed by dynamic freshmen. Nolan James Jr. RB 5-10 212 Turned 14 carries into 37 yards and returned a kickoff for 19 yards in four game appearances; battled for rotational spot in spring. Ko'o Kia LB 6-2 225 Recorded first career tackle on special teams while playing in four games to redshirt; took advantage of more spring opportunities with other lineback- ers injured. Brandon Logan S 5-11 197 Missed entire season with left shoulder injury; spent spring with baseball program. Ethan Long S 6-2 204 Redshirted with four games of action and flashed interception late against Syracuse; pushed in spring for backup spot at top-heavy safety position. Joseph Reiff DL 6-5 264 Made lone appearance in Syracuse blowout; future as defensive end or de- fensive tackle remains unclear. Scrap Richardson CB 6-0 190 Transferred to Auburn to play cornerback after not appearing in any games as a wide receiver with the Irish last year. Anthony Sacca LB 6-3 240 Transferred to UCLA after receiving no game action in 2025. Erik Schmidt P/K 6-2 211 Missed all three field goal attempts, made 41 of 42 extra points and aver- aged 64.1 yards on 70 kickoffs; competed in spring as both punter and kicker. Owen Strebig OL 6-8 302 Redshirted and played in four games on field goal/extra point unit; still look- ing to gain traction as offensive tackle. Gordy Sulfsted DL 6-5 275 Made first career tackle in career debut against Syracuse; remained buried on depth chart during spring practice. Cree Thomas CB 6-1 190 Transferred to Colorado after redshirting with three game appearances, 1 tackle and 1 pass broken up. Mark Zackery IV CB 5-10 184 Became first cornerback off the bench and played 11 games with 10 tackles and 2 passes broken up; spent spring trying to solidify reserve role at com- petitive position. Defensive backs Dallas Golden (left) and Mark Zackery IV (right) were two of only four freshmen who played too much to qualify for a redshirt season at Notre Dame last year. PHOTO BY MICHAEL MILLER Sophomore Class Review