At some point, describing Notre Dame as “Tight End U” becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Admittedly, that point was probably a few NFL draft picks ago, but with Tommy Tremble becoming the 10th Irish tight end selected in the last 16 drafts and then a new tight end commitment to come the same weekend, it is clear how the years of success can appeal to the next players likely to succeed.
Consensus three-star tight end Eli Raridon (Valley High School; West Des Moines, Iowa) announced a commitment to Notre Dame on Sunday. Suggesting any high school junior should be looked at as a future draft pick is unnecessarily bold — although it is also the premise of recruiting rankings — but the cause-and-effect at this particular position in South Bend seems clear.