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Notre Dame Football

Notre Dame TE Michael Mayer Declares for 2023 NFL Draft

December 7, 2022
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Notre Dame All-American tight end Michael Mayer has made a decision. 

The 6-foot-4, 265-pounder will forgo his final season of eligibility and enter the 2023 NFL Draft per Pete Thamel of ESPN. Mayer will also not play in the Gator Bowl. 

“It’s been an honor to wear the Gold helmet and share a locker room with my brothers the last three years,” Mayer said in a statement. “I want to say thank you to all my coaches, staff and of course my teammates for making my Notre Dame experience unforgettable. I will always be grateful to be Irish.

“I also want to express my gratitude to my family and friends. They have supported me all throughout my life, but especially in empowering me to pursue my dreams. 

“The time has come for me to start the next chapter of my career. I’m excited to announce my intentions to enter the 2023 NFL Draft.” 

It’s a decision that should surprise no one as Mayer leaves Notre Dame as the most productive tight end in program history and he did it in just three seasons. 

Mayer will finish his Notre Dame career with 180 receptions for 2,099 yards and 18 touchdowns, which also includes making a reception in all 36 games in the blue and gold. The 180 catches place him No. 3 on Notre Dame’s all-time receptions list only behind Michael Floyd (271) and TJ Jones (181). 

In the regular season finale, Mayer caught two touchdown passes against USC, which gave him nine touchdowns on the year and broke his own record of seven in one season. Mayer’s 18 touchdowns give him the top spot in school history as he broke Ken MacAfee’s record of 15. 

Mayer, a 2022 Notre Dame captain, produced every game of his career and did it against double and triple coverage much of his sophomore and junior seasons. 

"The attitude really doesn't change,” said Mayer. “The attitude is still get open and hopefully, the ball is going to find me. I'm not getting up to the line and be like, 'Shoot, they have two people on me. This route is dead.' 

"Nothing changes from getting double or triple-teamed. I go out there and I'm going to run my route. If I don't win or they have two people on me, someone else is going to open up." 

Single Game Highs
Receptions: 11 (BYU 2022)
Receiving Yards: 120 (Florida State 2021)
Touchdowns: 2 (Four times)
Longest Reception: 52 yards (Georgia Tech 2021) 

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