"I have so much to prove here" - Alizé Mack

The last year hasn’t been easy for Alizé Mack, as he was declared ineligible to play in 2016 before the start of Fall Camp last August. The 6-foot-4, 251-pounder made a lot of changes in his life, including his last name to Mack and his jersey number from 10 to 86. 

Mack’s biggest change was maturing and learning from his mistakes. 

“I had a lot of time to think,” the Las Vegas native said on Thursday. “I had a lot of time to myself. One of the things Coach (Brian) Kelly told me was that it was going to the best thing that ever happened to me or the worst. I took it and ran with it. I believed it would be the best thing to ever happen to me. 

“There were a lot of careless decisions I made on and off the field. I needed to grow as a person, and I definitely did. I think the coaches and my teammates see it.” 

Many students experience what Mack experienced as a freshman. The transition to college isn’t an easy one, but over the last year, Mack has embraced the things he needs to do as a student-athlete.

“Having the transition of coming from high school as a teenager and you come here, you have to grow up and be a man,” explained Mack. “You can’t fight the system. That’s one thing I tried to do and do things my way. 

“I learned it’s not about me and it’s about my team. I can’t do things my way. I have to follow Notre Dame’s way. When I started doing that, things started working out.” 

While Mack wasn’t allowed to play in 2016, he was able to practice with the team. It was evident Mack was going to use that to his advantage and more. 

After the first practice last fall, Mack was the last one to leave the field after working drills by himself well after the session had ended.  

“It has always been who I am,” Mack said of his work ethic. “I’m always a team guy. I wanted my teammates to see that from me. If I could come out and be the same guy, regardless of what I was going through, I would slowly earn respect back from my teammates and coaches.” 

Mack made his return to the field this fall but has been hampered by a hamstring injury since practice number five. Kelly said Mack would be ready for Temple on September 2nd, but the staff is also making sure the tight end takes it easy. 

“It’s frustrating when you go through little injuries, but I am being reminded to take it easy and slow down,” stated Mack. “I feel fine. I feel great. I know I’ll be ready for game one. It’s just a process. I’m not trying to push it too much right now.” 

When it comes to improvements in his game, Mack believes the biggest strides he has made is in the run game.  

“I have improved a lot in the running game,” Mack said. “I think my run blocking is something I have made an emphasis on this offseason. I understand the game, and I have my footwork down. Coach Long has done a great job with me on it.” 

Mack has also dealt with high expectations over his career, and those might be at an all-time high heading into 2017. Several NFL scouts have given him high praise despite the year off, but that’s the furthest thing from Mack’s mind. 

“I don’t worry about that,” said Mack. “I have so much to prove here. I wonder how much I could have produced last year. Coming into this season, I understand how much is expected, but at the same time, I am very excited. I have so much I want to accomplish here.”