Notre Dame Tight End Eli Raridon Primed for Breakout Campaign as Irish Look to Revive Tight End Legacy in 2025
There’s a quiet storm brewing in South Bend, and it’s taking shape in the form of a six-foot-six, 260-pound tight end who has battled through setbacks, matured through adversity, and now stands on the edge of stardom. As fall camp unfolds and Notre Dame gears up for what could be a defining 2025 season, Eli Raridon appears ready to seize the spotlight and reassert the tight end position as one of the most dominant forces in Irish football.
Raridon isn’t a new name for die-hard fans. He arrived on campus as a highly touted four-star recruit out of Iowa, with NFL bloodlines and the frame of a prototypical pass-catching tight end. The son of former Iowa offensive lineman Scott Raridon, Eli was born into football. His size, hands, and football IQ made him an early favorite to continue Notre Dame’s proud tight end tradition — one that includes names like Tyler Eifert, Kyle Rudolph, Cole Kmet, and Michael Mayer. But two ACL injuries early in his career delayed that rise, temporarily sidelining what many expected would be a rapid ascent.
Those injuries would have derailed lesser players. For Raridon, they became fuel. He attacked his rehab with relentless focus, reshaped his body, and emerged stronger — physically and mentally. Now, heading into his redshirt junior season, he’s fully healthy, turning heads in practice, and playing with a level of confidence that has coaches and teammates whispering the word “breakout” every time his name comes up.
Notre Dame’s offense in 2025 is undergoing an identity shift under quarterback Kenny Minchey, and Raridon figures to be a centerpiece of that transformation. No longer just a big body for run-blocking or short-yardage routes, he’s become a dynamic target — a mismatch nightmare who can line up in the slot, out wide, or with his hand in the dirt. His catch radius is enormous, his route-running precise, and his hands reliable. In red zone drills during fall camp, he’s been nearly uncoverable, boxing out smaller defenders and making contested catches look routine.
What separates Raridon from many tight ends, however, isn’t just his physical gifts — it’s his competitiveness. In practice, he’s vocal, intense, and unafraid of contact. He seeks it out. Teammates describe him as a “junkyard dog” with the footwork of a receiver and the mentality of a lineman. That hybrid approach is precisely what offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock wants to emphasize as Notre Dame retools its scheme for 2025. The Irish want balance, yes, but they also want unpredictability. And having a tight end who can block like a tackle and run routes like a Z receiver gives them immense flexibility.
Raridon’s evolution is coming at the perfect time. With the departure of several veteran receivers and the transition at quarterback, Notre Dame needs dependable, explosive options in the passing game. While wideouts like Jayden Thomas and Rico Flores Jr. bring talent to the table, it’s Raridon who could become Minchey’s safety blanket and go-to option on critical downs. Tight ends have always been part of the Irish offensive identity, but Raridon’s skillset allows the staff to reimagine how that position functions — not just as an extension of the run game, but as a central engine of the passing attack.
He’s been tested, too. The road back from multiple knee surgeries is not easy. Raridon spent months in physical therapy, doing the unglamorous work that fans rarely see — stretching, strengthening, re-learning how to trust his body. There were setbacks. Days where frustration crept in. But he never broke. Coaches repeatedly cite his resilience as a model for younger players. And now, with the physical hurdles behind him, the mental clarity has come into full focus. Raridon knows who he is, what he’s capable of, and what he wants.
And what he wants is to dominate.
In early practices, the chemistry between Raridon and Minchey has been striking. They’ve connected on deep seam routes, quick outs, and back-shoulder fades — the type of throws that require trust and timing. That connection didn’t happen by accident. The two spent significant time together in the offseason working on timing, language, and anticipation. Raridon even led informal film sessions with Minchey and the other skill players, breaking down defensive tendencies and helping the young quarterback understand where the mismatches would occur. That leadership has earned him the respect not only of his position group, but of the entire offense.
Raridon’s presence is also crucial in short-yardage and goal-line scenarios. His blocking, often underappreciated by the casual fan, is violent and technical. He uses leverage like a lineman and relishes the physicality of the run game. In scrimmages, he’s routinely seen sealing the edge or pancaking linebackers on outside runs. It’s that dual-threat ability — to be a weapon in both the run and pass game — that makes him so valuable. When Raridon is on the field, defenses don’t get clear indicators. They can’t key in. And that indecision often results in breakdowns — breakdowns that Notre Dame is eager to exploit.
Off the field, Raridon has emerged as a steady presence in the locker room. He’s not flashy, but he’s deliberate. Younger tight ends, including talented underclassmen like Jack Larsen, routinely gravitate toward him for advice. He’s taken ownership of the position group, bridging the gap between raw talent and seasoned execution. His voice carries weight in meetings, and his habits set the tone during drills. For a team chasing a College Football Playoff berth, having veteran leaders like Raridon step into larger roles is essential.
The national media hasn’t quite caught on yet. Raridon enters the season under the radar — not featured on most preseason All-America lists or draft watch boards. But that may change quickly. With Notre Dame playing multiple primetime games this season, including matchups against Texas A&M, Clemson, Miami, and USC, Raridon will have no shortage of national stages on which to showcase his skillset. And if the early signs hold true, those watching from home will soon realize what Notre Dame fans are beginning to see: Eli Raridon is the real deal.
His journey is a testament to persistence. To overcoming injury. To embracing the grind. But it’s also a reminder of how unpredictable and rewarding college football can be. Two years ago, Raridon was a highly-touted freshman with sky-high expectations and a lengthy rehab timeline. Today, he’s a healthy, seasoned weapon who’s about to become one of the most integral pieces in Notre Dame’s quest for a championship.
If there’s a single play that encapsulates Raridon’s potential, it came during a red zone drill last week. Minchey dropped back under pressure, lofted a fade to the corner, and Raridon leaped over two defenders, contorted his body mid-air, and snatched the ball while landing just inside the pylon. It was a play that demanded strength, body control, soft hands, and sheer will. It was, in a word, dominant. And it left everyone watching nodding their heads — including Marcus Freeman.
“He’s starting to understand just how special he can be,” Freeman said. “The work he’s put in, the adversity he’s overcome — it’s all led to this. He’s earned everything coming his way.”
That “everything” could mean a lot — a feature role in the offense, national recognition, a ticket to the NFL. But for now, Raridon isn’t worried about the future. He’s focused on today — on the reps, the chemistry, the execution. Because he knows, finally, the joystick is in his hands. And he’s ready to take control.
