Notre Dame football: Michael Mayer named true-freshman All-American

The Notre Dame football team has a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball this offseason, as there is a ton of talent leaving from a team that won ten games last year. They have to replace starting quarterback Ian Book, All-Americans on both sides of the ball, and will look to see what players step up for the 2021 squad.

Hopefully, the Irish, and the rest of the college football landscape, will have a more normal offseason. With COVID-19 still very much a part of everyone’s lives, it remains to be seen whether or not there will be a Spring Game, and what offseason workouts will look like.

With all the changes coming with the roster, there will be a few constants, such as tight end Michael Mayer. Mayer was outstanding for the Irish last season, becoming one of the better surprises, and he was recently honored by ESPN.

Notre Dame football has a budding star in Mayer

Mayer was named to ESPN’s true-freshman All-American team recently (Sub required), an incredible honor for a player who was not expected to do much this season. Instead, he hauled in 45 passes for 450 yards and two touchdowns, becoming a favorite target of Book throughout the season.

As he enters Year 2, there will be even more pressure on him to perform, this after Tommy Tremble declared for the NFL Draft, and the offense lost four of five starters. Whoever the Irish name the starter, whether it be Jack Coan, Tyler Buchner, Brendon Clark, or Drew Pyne, they will certainly make Mayer a top option every time they drop back.

Mayer has the size, hands, and speed to be a legitimate threat at the next level, and he has the talent to become one of the best tight ends in the history of the program. He showed what he could do on the national stage as a true freshman last season, and with a full year of experience under his belt, the sky is the limit for him moving forward.