The notion that Notre Dame’s tight ends and wide receivers might constitute the best pass-catching unit in the country for the upcoming 2025 college football season is not merely optimistic fan chatter; it’s a legitimate claim rooted in a confluence of returning talent, impact transfers, and highly touted incoming recruits, all operating within an offensive scheme designed to maximize their potential. While quarterback play will ultimately dictate the ceiling, the sheer volume and quality of targets available to the Fighting Irish are truly exceptional.
Notre Dame has long prided itself on being “Tight End U,” consistently producing NFL-caliber talent at the position.1 The 2025 roster is poised to uphold and possibly elevate that tradition.
Leading the charge is Eli Raridon (Senior). Raridon, a physically imposing talent at 6-7, 251 pounds, has battled injuries throughout his career but possesses immense upside.2 When healthy, he’s a mismatch nightmare, with the size to dominate in the red zone and surprisingly good athleticism for his frame. His 90 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns in 2024, despite limited opportunities, showcased his potential. With a full, healthy offseason, he’s primed for a breakout year as the primary receiving tight end.3
Joining him is Cooper Flanagan (Junior), who also saw some action in 2024 (55 yards, 2 TDs) and is expected to take a significant step forward.4 Flanagan (6-6, 250 lbs) brings a strong blend of blocking ability and developing receiving skills.5 His versatility makes him a valuable asset in both the run and pass games, a hallmark of Notre Dame’s tight end usage.
Furthermore, the depth is impressive with Ty Washington (Redshirt Junior), who at 6-4, 247 pounds, adds another big, athletic target. The excitement truly builds with the incoming talent from the 2025 recruiting class, notably James Flanigan (Freshman). The son of former NFL player Jim Flanigan, James (6-5, 230 lbs) is a highly-rated prospect renowned for his athleticism, strong hands, and ability to make plays downfield.6 He’s already being touted as a future star and could push for early playing time. Jack Larsen (Sophomore) also provides quality depth and development potential.
The sheer size, athleticism, and collective potential of this tight end group give Notre Dame a unique advantage. They can run multiple tight end sets, creating mismatches and forcing defenses to make difficult choices. Their blocking prowess will also aid the run game, a crucial component of Notre Dame’s offensive philosophy under Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock.
Historically, Notre Dame’s wide receiver play has been criticized for lacking elite game-breaking talent. However, the 2025 unit looks markedly different, thanks to key transfer portal additions and the natural progression of young, highly-touted players.
The biggest splash in the receiver room is the transfer portal addition of Malachi Fields (Senior) from Virginia.7 Named ESPN’s top newcomer for Notre Dame in 2025, Fields (6-4, 220 lbs) is a massive target and a contested-catch specialist. He was highly effective at Virginia despite inconsistent quarterback play, logging 808 receiving yards on 55 catches in 2024. His ability to win 50/50 balls and provide a legitimate outside threat is a game-changer for the Irish offense. ESPN projects him to surpass his Virginia production given the superior supporting cast and offensive scheme at Notre Dame.
Complementing Fields are promising returning players:
- Jaden Greathouse (Junior): Greathouse (6-1, 210 lbs) was Notre Dame’s leading receiver in 2024 with 592 yards and 4 touchdowns on 42 catches.8 He’s a reliable slot receiver with excellent hands and the ability to find soft spots in coverage. He’s expected to have a significant role regardless of who starts at quarterback.
- Jordan Faison (Junior): Faison (5-10, 184 lbs) provides speed and quickness, capable of making plays in space. He had 356 receiving yards in 2024 despite battling injuries. If he can stay healthy, he’s a dynamic weapon.
- Will Pauling (Senior/Graduate Transfer from Wisconsin): Pauling (5-10, 192 lbs) provides another veteran presence and slot option. He had 58 catches for 634 yards at Wisconsin in 2023 before transferring. His experience and route-running ability will be crucial.
- Cam Williams (Redshirt Freshman): A highly-rated recruit in the 2024 class, Williams (6-2, 200 lbs) is expected to take a big step forward this offseason. His athleticism and potential are off the charts, and he could be a breakout candidate.
- Micah Gilbert (Redshirt Freshman): Another promising young talent (6-2, 200 lbs) from the 2024 class, Gilbert adds to the depth and future potential of the group.
The 2025 recruiting class also brings in talent like Elijah Burress (Freshman) and Jerome Bettis Jr.9 (Freshman), adding more athleticism and upside for the future.
The success of any pass-catching unit hinges on the offensive scheme and, critically, the quarterback delivering the ball. Under Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock, who is entering his second year running the offense, Notre Dame utilizes a balanced, pro-style attack that aims to create explosive plays. Denbrock’s offenses have historically been highly efficient and productive, as evidenced by his success at LSU and Cincinnati.10 He emphasized in June 2025 that the offense aims for another step forward, with talent at every position and good depth.
The biggest variable for 2025 will be the starting quarterback. CJ Carr (Redshirt Freshman) and Kenny Minchey (Redshirt Sophomore) are locked in a battle for the starting job.11 While both are talented, they are first-year starters without significant collegiate experience. Having a deep and versatile receiving corps, particularly veteran targets like Malachi Fields, Jaden Greathouse, and Eli Raridon, will be absolutely crucial for a young quarterback’s development and success. These experienced pass-catchers can help a young QB acclimate quickly, win contested balls, and make plays after the catch, easing the pressure on the signal-caller.
While it’s a bold claim, Notre Dame’s pass-catching unit possesses several attributes that support its contention for the nation’s best:
- Elite Tight End Depth: No other program consistently fields a tight end room with the sheer volume of talent, size, and NFL potential that Notre Dame does. Raridon, Flanagan, and incoming Flanigan create a formidable trio.
- Impactful Transfer Additions: Malachi Fields immediately elevates the wide receiver room, providing a proven, big-bodied outside threat that was previously missing.12 Will Pauling adds another layer of veteran consistency.
- Rising Young Stars: Jaden Greathouse, Jordan Faison, and Cam Williams are all poised for breakout seasons, offering a blend of reliability, speed, and high upside.
- Scheme Fit: Mike Denbrock’s offense emphasizes getting playmakers the ball in space and leveraging mismatches, which perfectly suits the diverse skill sets of these receivers and tight ends.
- Complementary Skillsets: The unit boasts a diverse array of skills: Fields’ contested catches, Greathouse’s reliability, Faison’s speed, Raridon’s red-zone dominance, and Flanagan’s all-around game. This makes them difficult to defend.
Of course, challenges remain. The young quarterback will need to deliver the ball accurately and consistently. The offensive line must provide adequate protection. But with a top-tier offensive coordinator and what appears to be an embarrassment of riches at tight end and wide receiver, Notre Dame has assembled a pass-catching unit that, on paper, has all the tools to be the most productive and dangerous in college football in 2025. The talent is undeniable, and the potential is immense.
