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Notre Dame football: Big things expected from Michael Mayer in 2021

By Brad Weiss

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 24: Michael Mayer #87 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is knocked off his feet after a catch by Paris Ford #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers in the third quarter during the game at Heinz Field on October 24, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 24: Michael Mayer #87 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is knocked off his feet after a catch by Paris Ford #12 of the Pittsburgh Panthers in the third quarter during the game at Heinz Field on October 24, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame football team has a special tight end in Michael Mayer, and he will be tasked with becoming a bigger part of the offense in 2021.

The 2020 Notre Dame football team relied on a ton of players to step up, as they cruised through the regular season schedule with an undefeated mark. Of course, we knew what we would get from players like Ian Book and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, and some of the other veterans really stepped up.

However, it was the play of a certain true freshman that really got the fan base excited, and being so productive as a true freshman is never an easy thing. Guys come into college fresh out of playing high school football, and to do so against teams in an elite conference like the ACC, well that is an accomplishment all its own.

One of those freshmen who took the conference by storm was tight end Michael Mayer, who never seemed to back down from the big moments. He made a name for himself with his play this past season and moving forward, expect even bigger things from him within this Irish offense.

Explosive season as a true freshman

Mayer cracked the starting lineup as a true freshman, and became a favorite target of Book, especially in big moments. He kicked off his career in South Bend with three catches for 38 yards against Duke, and after being used sparingly in the first four games, he really started to take off.

The product of Covington (KY) Catholic High School, who was Kentucky’s Mr. Football in 2019, Mayer had at least five catches in six of his last eight games as a freshman. That includes seven receptions in both the ACC title game and the College Football Playoff, showing he shows up when the teams need him most.

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As we look towards the 2021 college football season, there are a lot of question marks within this Notre Dame football team, but Mayer is not one of them. Expect both he, and now-sophomore running backs Kyren Williams and Chris Tyree to lead this offense, no matter who replaces Book at quarterback this season.

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