Notre Dame Football: Top-5 offensive players returning in 2021

By Brad Weiss | Feb 1, 2021

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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Michael Mayer will try and build off a terrific freshman season. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Michael Mayer will be the top option in the passing game

One of the big stories of the 2020 Notre Dame football team was the play of Michael Mayer, a true freshman Tight End from Independence, Kentucky. Mayer led a position group that played a key role in the team’s successes on offense, becoming a security blanket for quarterback Ian Book along the way.

Mayer played his way onto a spot in ESPN’s True Freshman All-American team, racking up 42 catches for 450 yards and two touchdowns. He seemed to always come up with a big play when needed and posted at least five catches in six of the Irish’s last nine games. Also, he had his season-high in the team’s loss against Alabama, hauling in seven catches.

In 2021, he will lead a talented crop of tight ends once again, including some new faces, as well as George Takacs, a group that saw Tommy Tremble leave early for the NFL. Mayer could be the next great tight end to come out of Notre Dame, and you can expect another big season from him this Fall.

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