Notre Dame football: 10 most important players in 2021

Notre Dame football: 10 most important players in 2021

8. Michael Mayer, Tight End

It’s no secret that the Notre Dame passing game is going to be run through the tight end for the next couple of seasons. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said, “I don’t see why it should be any different in terms of being able to feature someone,” and has been known to reference the offense he ran as a quarterback at Notre Dame, which ran through Tyler Eifert.

Now, it’s clear the offense needs to go through Michael Mayer to be successful. Luckily, Mayer is an All-American tight end who can dominate when he turns it on. He may be young, but he has the skillset to dominate college football for at least the next two seasons.

Mayer is a dominant tight end, and even as a sophomore, he may just be the best tight end in the country. For Notre Dame, a team that is going to zone block and try to run the ball first and foremost, largely because they’re struggling at wide receiver, this is vital.

Not only does Mayer need to be a premier blocker on the edge, but he also needs to own the middle of the field in the passing game. It’s a big ask, but Mayer is a first-round caliber tight end, and if anyone can do it, he can.