Notre Dame football: One question for each offensive position in 2022

Apr 23, 2022; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Drew Pyne (10) looks to hand off in the first quarter of the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2022; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Drew Pyne (10) looks to hand off in the first quarter of the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Notre Dame football
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) /

Notre Dame football: One question for each offensive position in 2022

Tight End: Mayer and then who?

Since emerging as a star during his true freshman season, tight end Michael Mayer has rounded into arguably the best tight end in the country. With that rare combination of size, speed, and catching ability, Mayer is a Maxwell Award finalist this season and could end up taking home the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s best tight end.

OUtside of Mayer, however, questions remain as to who is going to step up and be that No. 2 Rees needs for this offense. Kevin Bauman was recruited in the same class as Mayer and is a freak athlete as well, but he has never really been counted on going into his third season with the Irish.

The position group also took a hit when Mitchell Evans had to have foot surgery, so he is not going to be available at the start of the 2022 college football season. If the Irish are going to have depth at the position behind Mayer, Bauman has to step up, and hopefully, Cane Berrong is healthy enough to make an impact as well.