SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Two of Notre Dame’s top offensive weapons are getting well-earned nods as they prepare for the next chapter of their football careers.
Wide receiver Malachi Fields and tight end Eli Raridon have officially accepted invitations to two of college football’s premier postseason all-star showcases. Fields is headed to the Senior Bowl on January 31, 2026 - widely regarded as the top stage for NFL hopefuls - while Raridon will represent the Irish at the East-West Shrine Bowl on January 27.
Let’s start with Fields, who wasted no time making an impact in South Bend after transferring in from Virginia this past offseason. In just 12 games, he racked up 36 receptions for 630 yards and a team-best five touchdowns, averaging a staggering 17.5 yards per catch. That kind of production - especially in a new system - speaks volumes about both his talent and adaptability.
At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Fields brings a physical presence on the outside that’s hard to miss. He’s not just a possession guy or a deep threat - he’s both.
Whether it’s high-pointing a ball in traffic or turning a routine slant into a big gain, Fields consistently found ways to flip the field. And his highlight reel?
Let’s just say it’s appointment viewing. One particular grab against Pitt had social media buzzing - the kind of catch that makes scouts sit up in their chairs.
“He’s a freak,” said Raridon, who’s had a front-row seat to Fields’ weekly fireworks. “He makes plays every Saturday.
The catches he makes, I really haven’t seen other receivers do in my time here. He’s a truly special player.”
That’s not just teammate talk, either. Fields has caught the attention of draft insiders, too. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. currently lists him as the 10th-best wide receiver on his draft board, and that Senior Bowl invite gives him a golden opportunity to climb even higher.
Now let’s talk about the big man in the middle - Eli Raridon. While Fields brought the flash, Raridon delivered plenty of substance in his own right.
The 6-foot-7, 252-pound tight end became a reliable target in the Irish passing game, posting 32 catches for 482 yards. That’s an average of 15.1 yards per reception, which ranks third nationally among tight ends.
And while he didn’t find the end zone this season, Raridon wasn’t sweating it. Notre Dame’s offense was humming all year, finishing fourth in the country in scoring with 42.0 points per game. For Raridon, it was all about doing his job and helping the team move the chains.
“As long as we’re scoring touchdowns, I’m happy with it,” he said. “I’m just focused on doing my job whenever we’re down there.”
That kind of selfless mindset - paired with his size, athleticism, and ability to stretch the field - makes Raridon a name to watch as the Shrine Bowl approaches. He’s the kind of tight end who can create mismatches all over the field, and NFL scouts will be watching closely to see how he holds up against top-tier competition.
Together, Fields and Raridon represent the kind of talent Notre Dame continues to develop - big-bodied, high-IQ playmakers who can contribute in multiple ways. Their upcoming appearances in the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl aren’t just personal milestones - they’re a testament to the work they’ve put in and the roles they’ve played in one of the nation’s most explosive offenses.
And come January, they’ll have the chance to show the rest of the football world what Notre Dame fans have seen all season long: these two can play.