Notre Dame Impact Players For 2025: No. 12 Tight End Eli Raridon

Notre Dame is now 12 days away from kicking off the 2025 season against the Miami Hurricanes down in Hard Rock Stadium. The Irish will be relying on some impact players to get them through the home opener as well as getting them back to another run at the National Championship. I broke down who I believe will be the top 50 impactful players for Notre Dame this season. Let’s continue this countdown to kickoff with my No. 12 most impactful player, senior tight end Eli Raridon.

South Bend has been home to numerous impact tight ends over the years, but the past few seasons due to injuries, there's been a lack of production from this iconic Irish position. This fall, Raridon has the opportunity to change that narrative and bring light back to the position in 2025.

What He Brings To The Table

First and foremost, Raridon is an athletic freak. The 6-7, 252-pound tight end made Bruce Feldman's Freaks List at No. 85 after posting a 34 inch vertical jump and a 9-10 broad jump. It's also been recorded that the Iowa native's strength is off the charts after posting a 350-pound bench press, 535-pound squat and 335-pound power clean. Raridon's physical attributes are off the charts but brings very little production to the table due to injuries. In his three seasons in South Bend, he's recorded a total of 16 receptions, 141 yards, and three touchdowns.

Now that his injury history is getting further and further into the rearview mirror, his upside is beginning to take shape. We've seen this offseason throughout the spring, Blue Gold game and fall camp his capabilities after the catch. Raridon has the ability to make people miss in space and win one on one situations in the red zone which was on display against USC in 2024. He's one of the faster tight ends Notre Dame has had to date and is poised for a really big season.

What Is His Impact?

There's been a lot of discussion around the Fighting Irish passing game for 2025. With offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Mike Denbrock heading into year two, a different style of quarterback under center and a host of talent at receiver headlined by Malachi Fields and Jaden Greathouse, this passing attack is expected to take a jump. I whole-heartedly agree, but this side of the offense can't reach it's full potential unless Raridon takes the necessary strides in his final season.

He's a mismatch nightmare; his size makes it difficult to put a safety on him but his speed and playmaking ability after the catch make it difficult to matchup him up against a linebacker. Opposing defensive coordinators will have a lot of trouble when they try to gameplan for the 6-7, 252-pound tight end, but he'll have to remain healthy and a focal point of the offseason to do so. Raridon's athleticism, playmaking ability and size are what makes him my No. 12 most impactful player for Notre Dame in 2025.

PAST TOP 50 BREAKDOWNS

No. 13 - Billy Schrauth
No. 14 - Joshua Burnham
No. 15 - Aamil Wagner
No. 16 - Gabriel Rubio
No. 17 - Jason Onye
No. 18 - Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa
No. 19 - Jordan Faison
No. 20 - Ashton Craig
No. 21 - Boubacar Traore
No. 22 - Aneyas Williams
No. 24 - DeVonta Smith
No. 25 - Jaiden Ausberry
No. 26 - Donovan Hinish
No. 27 - Junior Tuihalamaka
No. 28 - Jared Dawson
No. 29 - Armel Mukam
No. 30 - Will Pauling
No. 31 - Jaylen Sneed
No. 32 - Luke Talich
No. 33 - Jalen Stroman
No. 34 - Micah Gilbert
No. 35 - Loghan Thomas
No. 36 - Cam Williams
No. 37 - Tae Johnson
No. 38 - JaDon Blair
No. 39 - Karson Hobbs
No. 40 - Kevin Bauman
No. 41 - Ty Washington
No. 42 - Jack Larsen
No. 43 - Cole Mullins
No. 44 - Preston Zinter
No. 45 - James Flanigan
No. 46 - Noah Burnette
No. 47 - Guerby Lambert
No. 48 - Sullivan Absher
No. 49 - Jordan Botelho
No. 50 - Charles Jagusah

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