Indiana football landed its 19th transfer portal recruit and third reinforcement on the offensive line Friday in Pat Coogan as he committed to the Hoosiers, according to his post on X. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
Coogan, who spent four seasons at the University of Notre Dame, started 13 of the Fighting Irish’s 16 games en route to a College Football Playoff National Championship appearance. Although he was originally a left guard, he spent the 2024 season at center.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound Coogan was at the forefront of Notre Dame’s potent rushing attack, which finished 19th in the Football Bowl Subdivision in yards per game (200.9) and eighth in yards per carry (5.7). In the Fighting Irish’s 10-point victory over the Hoosiers in the CFP First Round on Dec. 20, the team ran for 193 yards on 35 rushing attempts.
The Palos Heights, Illinois, native earned a 72.1 overall grade — the 45th-best at his position — by Pro Football Focus.
Coogan will presumptively slot into the starting center position, which Mike Katic occupied in the Hoosiers’ historic 2024 season.
Coogan joins Khalil Benson, who transferred away from Indiana after spending 2020-23 in Bloomington before returning this offseason, and Zen Michalski as Indiana’s offensive linemen acquisitions. Michalski played from 2021-24 at Ohio State and originally hails from Floyds Knobs, Indiana.
Although the Hoosiers’ spring practice official details have yet to be announced, they’ll play their spring game at noon April 19.
When Indiana opens the regular season Aug. 30 against Old Dominion University at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, all three transfer offensive linemen will begin their final collegiate football season.
Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Jhett Garrett (@jhettgarrett) for updates throughout the Indiana football offseason.
