Notre Dame makes fringe five-star recruit's top five schools
On Wednesday, Notre Dame learned it’s still alive for one of the top recruits in the 2024 class cycle. Raymore (Mo.) Peculiar four-star tight end Jaden Reddell included the Fighting Irish in his top five schools.
“Notre Dame has a rich history with tight ends,” Reddell told On3’s Chad Simmons. “They get tight ends, they develop them and they use them. I like that and how coach Gerad Parker is the tight ends coach and the offensive coordinator. I know he will use the tight ends in his offense.”
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Reddell announced on social media that he is down to Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oregon and Tennessee. Before his top-five release, Reddell reported 38 Power Five scholarship offers. Over the last six months, he’s visited each contender at least once.
Reddell has also reported unofficial college recruiting visits to Missouri (3), Kansas State, Oklahoma, Ohio State and Iowa State. They did not make his top five.
The Irish earned Reddell’s top school recognition one day after offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Gerad Parker visited his high school. Parker and head coach Marcus Freeman also stopped by Raymore-Peculiar during the NCAA January recruiting contact period.
College football head coaches cannot see recruits during the spring evaluation period.
The On3 Industry Ranking — a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four primary recruiting media services — considers Reddell the No. 49 overall player, No. 2 tight end and No. 3 prospect in Missouri in 2024. He has a 94.69 rating
In On3’s own rankings, he’s the No. 22 overall player, No. 1 tight end and No. 2 prospect in Missouri. On3 gave him a 96 rating. Reddell had 49 receptions for 1,002 yards and 12 touchdowns last football season.
His On3 NIL Valuation annual value is $144,000. That ranks No. 101 among high school football players.
Notre Dame battling three SEC programs for Reddell
Although the Irish made his top five, Reddell strongly considers three southern schools.
He has previously scheduled official visits to Alabama (June 10), Georgia (June 17) and Tennessee (June 3). Reddell has already seen each of those schools once.
Reddell has also been to Notre Dame for an unofficial recruiting visit. He traveled up to South Bend for spring practice on March 25. According to the top tight end in 2024, his trip went well.
“I loved it,” Reddell told Blue & Gold. “I got to see a practice and see Coach Parker coach. It was really neat to see how he coaches his tight ends. I like how he interacts with and uses his tight ends. I feel like I’d fit well there.”
Reddell also has relationships with Irish verbal commits quarterback CJ Carr and running back Aneyas Williams. He and Carr play on the same 7-on-7 team, California Power. Reddell and Williams have run into each other on college visits and play football in the same state.
Notre Dame already has one 2024 tight end in Jack Larsen. The Irish would like to add another to the class. They are also targeting Answorth (Neb.) High’s Carter Nelson, who will officially visit Notre Dame next month.
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