In James Flanigan and Andrew Olesh, Notre Dame is turning to history to shape its future at the tight end position. As the Fighting Irish eye the 2025 recruiting cycle, they find themselves revisiting a tried-and-true formula. The tight end has long been a cornerstone of Notre Dame football, and it appears that the program is once again aiming for a dual-threat at the position.
For much of the 2025 cycle, Notre Dame seemed satisfied with just one tight end, initially securing a commitment from Nate Roberts before losing it. The Irish rebounded by landing a pledge from James Flanigan, son of former Notre Dame standout Jim Flanigan, maintaining the strong tradition of producing elite tight ends.
Now, with just 45 days until the early signing period, Notre Dame has shifted gears and is targeting a second tight end to complement Flanigan. This marks a key pivot for head coach Marcus Freeman’s regime, and it could be the first time he brings in a two-tight-end class. While not entirely uncommon, a two-tight-end recruiting haul has occurred six times in the last 16 classes, primarily under former head coach Brian Kelly.
Irish Illustrated has analyzed the historic tight end duos Notre Dame has recruited since 2010, evaluating their impact and how they compare to the potential 2025 duo. Historically, the Irish have often struck gold when bringing in two tight ends in the same class. Names like Tyler Eifert, Cole Kmet, and Michael Mayer have helped build Notre Dame’s reputation as “Tight End U.”
The Irish are also eyeing prospects like T’Andre Waverly as a potential option for the second tight end spot. While the team still has flexibility in their pursuit, it’s clear that Notre Dame is intent on securing more firepower at the position to continue its tradition of producing NFL-caliber talent at tight end.
This strategy could set the stage for Notre Dame’s offensive future, particularly under Freeman’s leadership, with the hope that adding another elite tight end alongside Flanigan will bolster the Irish’s formidable offense. As the signing period approaches, the Irish are putting in the work to make sure their tight end position remains one of strength for years to come.
