Oft-referred to as "Tight End-U," Notre Dame has a decades-long track record of developing NFL talent at the position, a unique thread that has connected several head coaching eras in South Bend.
In the 2025 class, Notre Dame sought a duo of signees worthy of carrying that mantle, ultimately settling for one elite prospect in James Flanigan. The four-star Wisconsinite ranked No. 118 nationally and No. 7 among tight ends on 247Sports, while slotting in at No. 127 overall and No. 6 at his position in the composite. He was regarded as the consensus No. 1 player in Wisconsin.