Notre Dame Football Players Brawl During Spring Practice

Tight end and safety get into heated altercation on the field

Apr. 1, 2026 at 5:36pm

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Six practices into Notre Dame's spring football sessions, head coach Marcus Freeman has seen his Fighting Irish players living up to their nickname, with tight end Cooper Flanagan and safety Adon Shuler spotted squaring off in a heated altercation on the field during the March 20 practice.

Why it matters

Scrapes and scuffles between teammates are not uncommon during the intensity of spring football practices, as players compete for starting spots and roster positions. However, the high-profile nature of the Notre Dame program means any such incidents are closely watched by the media and fans.

The details

According to reports, Flanagan and Shuler were involved in a physical confrontation that required other players and coaches to step in and separate the two. Freeman acknowledged the competitive nature of his team, stating "These dudes are competitive."

  • The incident occurred during Notre Dame's March 20 spring practice session.

The players

Cooper Flanagan

A tight end on the Notre Dame football team.

Adon Shuler

A safety on the Notre Dame football team.

Marcus Freeman

The head coach of the Notre Dame football team.

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What they’re saying

“These dudes are competitive”

— Marcus Freeman, Head Coach

The takeaway

Spirited practices and occasional scuffles between teammates are common occurrences during the high-intensity spring football season, as players compete to earn starting roles and roster spots for the upcoming season. While the Notre Dame program will aim to keep such incidents under control, a certain level of competitiveness is to be expected from elite college football players.