Notre Dame football has a team full of athletic freaks, but we now know which two players are at the very top of the list
Notre Dame football lands two players on the Feldman’s Freak list.
For some, it is like Christmas coming early when the Feldman’s Freaks List drops every summer. Bruce Feldman, who is a reporter for The Athletic, spends months every year doing deep research, talking to school officials, and coaches to find the top 101 athletic freaks in all of college football. The 2025 version of the list did not disappoint.
With Notre Dame returning such a deep and talented team heading into this season, a lot of Fighting Irish fans probably expected it to be an expansive list. Notre Dame managed to put just two players on the prestigious list, defensive end Bryce Young and tight end Eli Raridon. Each player is very deserving to be included on that list.
The question should probably be asked. Why are there so few Notre Dame players? Why did Malachi Fields and Will Pauling both drop off after being on last year? Where in the world is Jeremiyah Love?
Regardless, we should still celebrate the two talented players who did manage to make the list. It starts with Young, an Irish legacy who is a freak of nature athlete, and comes in at No. 44 overall.
No. 44 Bryce Young, Notre Dame, defensive lineman
The son of former Irish and San Francisco 49ers great Bryant Young and former ND track star Kristin Young had an outstanding freshman season in 2024, making 23 tackles, seven of which came on third downs. He blocked three kicks, tops among all freshmen in FBS. At 6-7, 270, Young combines terrific length and size to go with high-end explosiveness. He’s put on almost 30 pounds since arriving last year, but still managed to vertical jump 34 1/2 inches and broad jump 9-5. He benched 335 pounds and cleaned 335. Anthonie Knapp, another member of the Irish’s already strong 2024 recruiting class, also made a compelling case for a spot on this year’s Freaks List. The 6-5, 300-pound offensive tackle, who excelled filling in for Charles Jagusah last season, vertical jumped 30 inches and benched 425 pounds.
If Young begins to fully tap into his athletic gifts, he has a chance to be a dominant player in 2025. The talent is undeniable, and Young is also a very hard worker. He is just scratching the surface. It was also interesting to see Knapp mentioned heading into his sophomore season.
The second, and final member of the list, is Raridon. A gifted athlete, Raridon has dealt with various injuries over the course of his Notre Dame career. Irish fans are hoping he puts it all together this year, especially after reading what Feldman wrote.
No. 85 Eli Raridon, Notre Dame, tight end
After returning from an ACL injury that hampered him for parts of his freshman and sophomore seasons, the junior started three games, catching 11 passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns. The 6-6, 255-pound second-generation Irish football player displayed plenty of explosiveness this offseason, vertical jumping 34 inches and broad jumping 9-10. He’s also quite strong, benching 350 pounds, power cleaning 335 and squatting 535.
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