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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

JR Film Notes | TE Michael Mayer

February 10, 2019
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Saying it’s on to 2020 after wrapping up the 2019 recruiting cycle is technically correct, but also far from the reality that has been going on for awhile. The truth is that several 2020 recruits have been recruited and evaluated for over a year by Notre Dame and they already have four players committed from this cycle.

Tight end Michael Mayer‍ (Alexandria, KY) is one of them. He pledged to the Irish last summer before he even played a down as a high school junior. He was one of the top tight end prospects in the country at that time and has remained so after his junior season.

Height: 6’5”

Weight: 240 (up from 215)

Projected Position: Tight End

ISD Grade: 93 (4-star)

National Average Grade: 92.5 (4 star)

Mayer has gained weight while maintaining his athleticism. There aren’t many tight ends that show the ability to shine after the catch and he has continued to show he is an exception. He has very good short area quickness to help him separate and he has enough speed to threaten down the seam like on this touchdown play.

via GIPHY

If matched up on linebackers, he’s going to push them to cover down the field and the Irish should be able to threaten with the back seven because of his ability.

He has terrific ball skills and the most important skill for him is that he can make contested catches. His catch radius is impressive and he can go over the top of defenders in traffic.

via GIPHY

He was a bit too frequent as a body catcher as a sophomore and the strength of his hands were showcased more often as a junior with the way he snatched the football. He took this interception away from the defender when he had no business doing so.

via GIPHY

He reminds me a lot of Cole Kmet when he was a prospect. Mayer is a big athlete who is better suited to be split out rather than in-line despite having the size to project as more of a traditional tight end. He flashes a blocker with some physicality like he does leading on this run, but he still has a lot of room to grow as a blocker.

via GIPHY

We’ve seen Kmet take baby steps as a blocker when asked to play in-line and it may be the same with Mayer because of his inexperience blocking bigger, stronger players. It will be interesting to see how much progress he shows as a senior.

It’s also worth noting that Notre Dame’s other tight end commit, Kevin Bauman‍, shows more potential as an in-line blocker. These two could be on the field at the same time in different roles at Notre Dame.

Fans forget about the guys who commit early, but shouldn’t forget about a talent like Mayer. He continued to show exciting potential as a receiver as a high school junior. I bumped up my grade on him from a 92 to a 93.

 
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