Notre Dame football: Who will be the TE2 in 2022?

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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – JANUARY 01: A closeup of a Notre Dame Fighting Irish helmet during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona. The Cowboys defeated the Fighting Irish 37-35. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) /

Notre Dame football: Who will be the TE2 in 2022?

Holden Staes and Eli Raridon

There is no doubt that Notre Dame football has become a destination for tight ends, and in the 2022 class, the Irish are bringing in two more talented pieces in Holden Staes and Eli Raridon. Raridon was rated in the top-5 in the position group in this recruiting cycle, with Staes at No. 11, so to say they are getting the cream of the crop is no understatement.

While Staes will likely get a quick jump on his collegiate career, Raridon may be brought along slower, as he tore his ACL in a basketball game this past December. That moves back his timetable in terms of when he is going to be able to contribute, but based on the injury, him coming back in the summer at the earliest has to be the goal.

Staes is an incredible athlete, as he played wide receiver and on the edge as well as tight end in high school. He recently starred in the Polynesian Bowl, and while he likely won’t work his way up to being Mayer’s backup this season, he is someone who could rocket up the depth chart once Mayer heads to the NFL.

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