Post-Spring Position Outlook | Tight End

Notre Dame had another tight end taken in the NFL Draft when Tommy Tremble was selected on day two by the Carolina Panthers. There is no doubt the offense will miss him and the violence he brought to the running game. The Irish also lost blocking tight end Brock Wright so there is a possibility that the position will take a step back in terms of helping out the running game.

It’s also a realistic possibility that Notre Dame may be just as good or better at the tight end position overall. That’s become pretty typical at “Tight End U”. A

ll anyone needs to know about the type of spring Michael Mayer had is that the staff deemed him too valuable to even play in the Blue-Gold game. That’s how good he is and how critical he is likely going to be to the offense.

He tied for the team lead in receptions last season and is going to be a priority target again this fall. Look for offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to find creative ways to get him matched up one on one on 3rd downs and for Mayer to take a positive step as a blocker to replace some of what was lost with Tremble.

George Takacs has waited his turn and emerged as the fourth tight end last season. For many programs that means no playing time. At Notre Dame, it means he was still in the mix. Takacs was used in short yardage packages and did a solid job as an in-line blocker.

All signs point to him being in a strong position to be the number two tight end and he certainly helped his cause by showing he can be much more than an extra blocker. His 25-yard reception down the seam in the spring game proved he can be a threat in the passing game as well.

Takacs isn’t going to be handed the second tight end spot. He’ll have to fight off Kevin Bauman who was someone who impressed the staff during his redshirt season in 2020. An injury held him out for a good chunk of spring so he’ll need to come back in fall camp and establish himself as another in-line candidate.

After what we saw from him in the Blue-Gold game and what we’ve heard from sources about Mitchell Evans, he may be someone who may find a role simply because of his talent. He held onto the ball on a 4th down when he got hit hard by Isaiah Pryor and he added 32 and 23-yard receptions to that.

Being the fourth tight end sounds like his likely role, but we’ll see if he can pull a Mayer and jump the line during the summer.

Cane Berrong is probably going to redshirt and it has zero to do with his talent. He showed up on the highlights more than enough this spring to show he has a bright future as a receiver. There is a chance that he ends up having a great summer and makes so many big catches that he forces his way into some playing time, but he’s someone who will likely benefit from a year of strength and conditioning before becoming a bigger part of the offense.

It’s doubtful that he’d earn snaps as a blocker over Takacs and Bauman. It’s a really strong group again and no matter how the depth chart shakes out, this should be one of the best tight end groups in the nation.