'20 KY TE Michael Mayer (Notre Dame Signee)

[Dale]

I don’t think Mayer or Bowers achieve Kittle/Kelce size + athleticism combo. I think Mayer will always be a bit bigger and Bowers a bit smaller.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

*google searches a white TE to compare him to*

Funny you say that
Because
He reminds me of Dallas Clark

 

[ACamp1900]

*google searches a white TE to compare him to*

Aaron Hernandez

 

[NDPhilly]

My comp is Brent Celek with better ball skills. Highly dependable guy who isnt gonna have the flashy plays like a Pitts or a Kittle.

 

[luckofirish8]

Frank Wycheck for me.

 

[Riddickulous]

Where does he rank among the recent crop of tight ends at ND? Is there still anyone you would put higher?

 

[Domina Nostra]

Where does he rank among the recent crop of tight ends at ND? Is there still anyone you would put higher?

With Eifert, I was always confident that he would get open on 3rd down, just like I was with Book running on 3 and 4. He could not be single covered ever. He was too tall and fast. Personally, this was the first game that I saw that ability EVERY, SINGLE series, no matter what the defense was doing.

So based on Weis years onward:

Tier 4) Koyack/Smythe
Tier 3) Kmet/Niklas/Tremble
Tier 2) Carlson/Rudolph/Fasono
Tier 1) Eifert/Mayer

And I tend to think the position is about to take off again, with Rairdon, Staes, and Evans.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Where does he rank among the recent crop of tight ends at ND? Is there still anyone you would put higher?

Going back the last twenty years, are starting Tight Ends have been: Jordan Owens, Anthony Fasano, John Carlson, Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, Troy Niklas, Ben Koyack, Durham Smythe, Alize Mack, Cole Kmet, Tommy Trimble and now Michael Mayer.

First off, what a list. All drafted, and more than half had solid NFL careers. Tight End U baby.

Statistically, Mayer is the best, but Eifert was a monster. His acrobatic catches were a thing of beauty. I'd rank Mayer just behind him.

My Top 5 would be: 1) Eifert 2) Mayer 3) Kmet 4) Rudolph & 5) Fasano

 

[Domina Nostra]

Going back the last twenty years, are starting Tight Ends have been: Jordan Owens, Anthony Fasano, John Carlson, Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, Troy Niklas, Ben Koyack, Durham Smythe, Alize Mack, Cole Kmet, Tommy Trimble and now Michael Mayer.

First off, what a list. All drafted, and more than half had solid NFL careers. Tight End U baby.

Statistically, Mayer is the best, but Eifert was a monster. His acrobatic catches were a thing of beauty. I'd rank Mayer just behind him.

My Top 5 would be: 1) Eifert 2) Mayer 3) Kmet 4) Rudolph & 5) Fasano

IMO, Kmet had all the potential in the world, but took to long in his career to get rolling. Rudolph was the best looking (besides maybe Niklas), but was injured a bit too much.

 

[stlnd01]

Where does he rank among the recent crop of tight ends at ND? Is there still anyone you would put higher?

Eifert was a more versatile receiver and more of a downfield threat. I'd probably put him a little higher b/c of that. But just a little.

 

[CanadalovesND]

IMO, Kmet had all the potential in the world, but took to long in his career to get rolling. Rudolph was the best looking (besides maybe Niklas), but was injured a bit too much.

I wouldn't say it took too long for him to get his career rolling, he just was playing behind NFL guys.

He was the third option behind Smythe and Mack as a true freshman. He was a backup behind Mack as a sophomore, then got his shot as a junior. He didn't beat out Mack as a sophomore, but Mack sort of put it together as a senior - hence why he got his shot at the NFL.

Also, his sophomore stats seem quite average, but those had been the best stats from the No.2 TE in the BK era

 

[Irish#1]

With Eifert, I was always confident that he would get open on 3rd down, just like I was with Book running on 3 and 4. He could not be single covered ever. He was too tall and fast. Personally, this was the first game that I saw that ability EVERY, SINGLE series, no matter what the defense was doing.

So based on Weis years onward:

Tier 4) Koyack/Smythe
Tier 3) Kmet/Niklas/Tremble
Tier 2) Carlson/Rudolph/Fasono
Tier 1) Eifert/Mayer

And I tend to think the position is about to take off again, with Rairdon, Staes, and Evans.

Put Ken McAfee in Tier 2 and probably the best blocking TE ND has ever had.

On the Clark / Mayar comparison: Mayar is two inches taller than Dallas Clark. They run similar routes, but I think Mayar is stronger and has better hands. Clark was a tad faster.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Put Ken McAfee in Tier 2 and probably the best blocking TE ND has ever had.

On the Clark / Mayar comparison: Mayar is two inches taller than Dallas Clark. They run similar routes, but I think Mayar is stronger and has better hands. Clark was a tad faster.

McAfee was such a good blocker that the 49ers wanted to move him to guard after his rookie season. He said "fvck that" and opened up a dental practice. Legend.

 

[Domina Nostra]

I wouldn't say it took too long for him to get his career rolling, he just was playing behind NFL guys.

He was the third option behind Smythe and Mack as a true freshman. He was a backup behind Mack as a sophomore, then got his shot as a junior. He didn't beat out Mack as a sophomore, but Mack sort of put it together as a senior - hence why he got his shot at the NFL.

Also, his sophomore stats seem quite average, but those had been the best stats from the No.2 TE in the BK era

I can't agree. Smythe, although he continued to develop as a pro, was just not that impressive and Mack simply was definitely the worst #1 TE in that line. His shot at the NFL was based on (1) TEU and (2) measurables. Nothing in his college career suggested Mack was going to be a player. Not sure why Kmet didn't pass him faster.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Aaron Hernandez

this joke kills, bro

 

[laughingirish90]

Aaron Hernandez

isn't he that scumbag that played for Meyer at UF and then killed somebody or had somebody killed by someone else

 

[DONTH8]

isn't he that scumbag that played for Meyer at UF and then killed somebody or had somebody killed by someone else

Yes, but you may be confusing him with another player that played for Meyer at UF.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

With Eifert, I was always confident that he would get open on 3rd down, just like I was with Book running on 3 and 4. He could not be single covered ever. He was too tall and fast. Personally, this was the first game that I saw that ability EVERY, SINGLE series, no matter what the defense was doing.

So based on Weis years onward:

Tier 4) Koyack/Smythe
Tier 3) Kmet/Niklas/Tremble
Tier 2) Carlson/Rudolph/Fasono
Tier 1) Eifert/Mayer

And I tend to think the position is about to take off again, with Rairdon, Staes, and Evans.

Completely agree with your rankings. The difference between Eifert and Mayer for me is that Eifert was longer and had a special ability to high point/catch away from his body. What Mayer has going for him vs Eifert is that Mayer is more physical and athletic.

 

[Green Mountains]

Put Ken McAfee in Tier 2 and probably the best blocking TE ND has ever had.

Mark Bavaro and Derek Brown might have something to say about that.

I'd say Mayer reminds me of a 2020's Bavaro - just a warrior.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Completely agree with your rankings. The difference between Eifert and Mayer for me is that Eifert was longer and had a special ability to high point/catch away from his body. What Mayer has going for him vs Eifert is that Mayer is more physical and athletic.

Yeah, if Eifert could have stayed healthy he would have had a heck of a career. He was such a freak.

 

[ulukinatme]

 

[sixstar]

My top five:

1. Eifert
2. Mayer
3. Rudolph
4. Carlson
5. Fasano

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

He's going to hold every career record within a three year career that coincided with the first global pandemic in 100 years. Mayer is the absolute mustard.

I am, however, preparing myself for the injustice of him not winning the Mackey Award because they'll give it to the kid from UGA or somebody else.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

He's going to hold every career record within a three year career that coincided with the first global pandemic in 100 years. Mayer is the absolute mustard.

I am, however, preparing myself for the injustice of him not winning the Mackey Award because they'll give it to the kid from UGA or somebody else.

There's still 7 games left and a lot of production to be had. Let's wait and see, I'll start bitching when it's obvious and he gets disrespected. Who knows what Bowers and Mayer will do over the next 7 games. I really hope Mayer can keep up a high level of production even if the BYU game is the high water mark.

 

[Irish#1]

Mark Bavaro and Derek Brown might have something to say about that.

I'd say Mayer reminds me of a 2020's Bavaro - just a warrior.

They were good, but not quite at his level IMO. Of course that and $7 will get you a cup of coffee these days.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

There's still 7 games left and a lot of production to be had. Let's wait and see, I'll start bitching when it's obvious and he gets disrespected. Who knows what Bowers and Mayer will do over the next 7 games. I really hope Mayer can keep up a high level of production even if the BYU game is the high water mark.

It's not going to really ruffle me one way or the other. I am bothered by the lack of transparency when it comes to those individual awards so i don't pay a great deal of attention to them anymore. You have guys that should be finalists at their respective positions based on production and they don't even get to that point. Just seems like political bullshit.

In the end, my hope is in a couple of years down the road Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame isn't as heavily reliant on the tight end carrying the offense.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

It's not going to really ruffle me one way or the other. I am bothered by the lack of transparency when it comes to those individual awards so i don't pay a great deal of attention to them anymore. You have guys that should be finalists at their respective positions based on production and they don't even get to that point. Just seems like political bullshit.

In the end, my hope is in a couple of years down the road Marcus Freeman's Notre Dame isn't as heavily reliant on the tight end carrying the offense.

I don't think anyone would argue "reliance". It needs to be a huge component of what we do because we continually attract great tight ends and we need to play to our strengths. I'm in agreement with you that hopefully all other positions continue to improve so the tight end isn't the focal point but still a major part.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I don't think anyone would argue "reliance". It needs to be a huge component of what we do because we continually attract great tight ends and we need to play to our strengths. I'm in agreement with you that hopefully all other positions continue to improve so the tight end isn't the focal point but still a major part.

Mayer is the focal point of the offense right now. Zero question about it.

Improvement at the QB and WR positions are needed via recruiting in order to get the program where it wants to go, which is National Championship. Simple as that.

 

[BoredIrish]

Is it too early to start the debate about MM sitting out the bowl game?

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Is it too early to start the debate about MM sitting out the bowl game?

No, but let's at least make it another thread so I can ignore it.