Starting under Brian Kelly and continuing through the Marcus Freeman era, Notre Dame football has developed a knack for producing NFL-level, pass-catching tight ends. From Kyle Rudolph and Tyler Eifert, to Cole Kmet and Tommy Tremble, and most recently Michael Mayer and Mitchell Evans, the Irish have featured the tight end position in offensive schemes more prominently than just about any other program in college football. Despite numerous setbacks and injuries early in his time in South Bend, it appears that Eli Raridon is next in line for Notre Dame tight end glory.
Raridon, a senior from Des Moines, Iowa, is the son of Monogram winner Scott Raridon, who played on the offensive line in the early 2000s. As the second-ranked tight end in the national recruiting class of 2022, Raridon had his choice of where to take his talents. Every so-called “Tight End U” wanted him, from the local Iowa Hawkeyes to the SEC’s Auburn Tigers. But despite the competition at position, with both the aforementioned Mayer and Evans, as well as Kevin Bauman ahead of him, Raridon chose to trace his father’s footsteps to the Golden Dome.
Raridon is no stranger to adversity. As a freshman in Freeman’s first year, Raridon made his collegiate debut in the stunning home defeat to Marshall. He would appear in just five games that season before suffering an ACL tear. Following a long, difficult recovery, he would play just seven games in his sophomore season, collecting five receptions, 51 yards and a touchdown along the way.
Even as a key contributor on last season’s run to the national championship, Raridon was rarely featured as a primary option in the passing game. He appeared in all 16 games for the Irish, and was the starter in the opening round College Football Playoff clash with Indiana, but he didn’t even top 100 yards receiving for the season. So how did he turn into freshman quarterback CJ Carr’s favorite target?
It’s no secret that Eli Raridon has grinded to get to where he is today as a player. He’s also learned from some of the great tight ends in Notre Dame history. That combination of work ethic and situational intelligence has forced the coaching staff to instill substantial trust in the Iowan. “I feel very grateful that [the offensive staff] thinks highly of me. It’s been a dream come true [to play here],” Raridon said.
Young quarterbacks need steady, sure-handed targets to rely on early in their careers. That need is exacerbated when playing highly skilled and physical defenses in career starts number one and two. Although Raridon has surely been a calming influence for the young Carr throughout the ups and downs of the Miami and Texas A&M losses, it is the senior heaping praise on the freshman. “CJ is an awesome QB. It’s so impressive to see him, as young as he is, lead our offense. I think very highly of him,” Raridon said.
He continued by highlighting both Carr’s preparation and poise, adding, “He’s super competitive, encouraging and vocal. That’s everything you want out of a quarterback. Again, as young as he is, it’s super cool to see how confident he is.” The chemistry between Raridon and Carr has extended beyond soundbites thus far in the young season, with the tight end being Notre Dame’s leading receiver in both weeks one and two.
In the opener against the Hurricanes, he hauled in five receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. His fourth quarter catch and run of 65 yards set up the Irish for the game-tying score late in the fourth. Two weeks later, he added 85 yards, as well as another explosive 43-yard gain to set up six.
Despite his individual success, Raridon is trying to put the first two weeks behind him and help the team move ahead from its 0-2 start. “That’s in the past now. We gotta come together and love each other and work even harder. Our mentality is to put [Texas A&M] aside and stick together,” Raridon said. “All of us know we can get better each and every day,” he continued.
Raridon has been through this staggering disappointment in each of his first three seasons at Notre Dame. He has learned how to respond, both individually and as a unit, and he knows this time is no different. “We can’t dwell on it, but we can keep the pain. Like coach Freeman said last year with Northern Illinois, it’s okay to keep the pain and use it as fuel for these upcoming games.” Just as Eli Raridon kept the pain of early-career injury and remained patient to carve out his role at Notre Dame, the Irish will have to keep the pain of early-season setback and remain patient to reach their goals in the college football landscape.
