Notre Dame Targets Top 2027 Tight End Recruit

Coach Harris Bivin leads the charge for Cooper Terwilliger, the top prospect in South Dakota.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Cooper Terwilliger, a four-star tight end prospect from Pierre, South Dakota, has received an offer from Notre Dame coach Harris Bivin. Terwilliger is currently the only ranked prospect in the state for the 2027 class.

Why it matters

Securing top talent from less-populated states like South Dakota is crucial for elite college football programs like Notre Dame to maintain a competitive roster. Terwilliger's recruitment could be an early indicator of Notre Dame's plans to bolster their tight end position in future classes.

The details

Coach Harris Bivin extended an offer to Terwilliger in January, making an early push for the top in-state prospect. Terwilliger plays for T.F. Riggs High School in Pierre and is considered one of the top tight end recruits nationally in the 2027 class.

  • Terwilliger received his Notre Dame offer in January 2026.

The players

Cooper Terwilliger

A four-star tight end prospect from Pierre, South Dakota, and the top-ranked player in the state for the 2027 recruiting class.

Harris Bivin

The Notre Dame football coach leading the recruitment of Terwilliger.

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What’s next

Terwilliger's recruitment is still in the early stages, but Notre Dame will look to make him a priority target as he continues to garner interest from top programs across the country.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's early offer to the top prospect in South Dakota demonstrates their commitment to identifying and securing talent from underrecruited regions, a strategy that has helped the program maintain its status as a national powerhouse.