Notre Dame football: Irish loaded at TE going into 2022 season

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Michael Mayer #87 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Michael Mayer #87 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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The Notre Dame football team has plenty of strengths this upcoming season, and the tight end position is certainly one of them.

When it comes to the 2022 Notre Dame football team, the offense has the chance to be special. Up front, they have arguably the best offensive line in all of football, as Jarrett Patterson turned away from the NFL for one more go-around as the team’s center.

Since taking over that position, he has yet to allow a sack, and having him in the middle of all of the action is huge for this Notre Dame football team.

At running back, Notre Dame football has a plethora of options, from speedy playmakers to guys who can downright pound the ball up the middle. Wide receiver has depth issues but does not lack in talent, so whoever earns the starting quarterback job will have more than a few weapons to play with on the outside.

Then there is the tight end spot, a position where I believe the Irish will be better than almost every other team in the country in 2022.

Notre Dame football is loaded at the tight end position

Michael Mayer goes into what will likely be his final season with the Irish with huge expectations, as he is a potential top-10 2023 NFL Draft pick. Through his first two seasons, Mayer has proven to be the gold standard at the position, and a John Mackey Award would be a fitting end to his three years in South Bend.

However, he is not the only outstanding tight end on this roster, as the Irish also have Kevin Bauman, who has the athletic ability to be a special player as well. Mitchell Evans and Cane Berrong also figure to give the Irish solid depth, while Eli Raridon will be back in 2023 after tearing his ACL this winter.

With a new quarterback under center, having talent at tight end is crucial, and the Irish have that and then some. Mayer is going to be the one who grabs the headlines all season long, but the expectation is for the position group as a whole to make their presence felt throughout the 2022 campaign.