Notre Dame football: One question for each offensive position in 2021

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - MAY 01: Tyler Buchner #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish passes the football in second half of the Blue-Gold Spring Game at Notre Dame Stadium on May 01, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - MAY 01: Tyler Buchner #12 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish passes the football in second half of the Blue-Gold Spring Game at Notre Dame Stadium on May 01, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /
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Notre Dame football
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) /

Notre Dame football: One question for each offensive position in 2021

Tight End: How much better can Michael Mayer be?

One of the better stories of the 2020 college football season for the Irish was the play of true freshman Michael Mayer. This is a kid who stepped onto the scene and became an absolute weapon for Ian Book, hauling in over 40 catches for 450 yards and four touchdowns.

In 2021, he will be expected to play an even bigger role in the offense, especially with so many question marks at the wide receiver position. Tommy Tremble is gone, but the position group still has a lot of talent left over, as well as two true freshmen who will come in and try to battle it out for some playing time.

The question when it comes to the position group is how good can Mayer be in Year 2, as he tries to join the ranks of some of the elite tight ends who have played for the school. With Coan as the likely starter, we know he is going to rely on his security blankets, like Williams and Mayer, and that could lead to a 60-plus catch season for the true sophomore.

  • Early answer: First-team All-American