Notre Dame Tight End Michael Mayer Set To Answer Athleticism Concerns At The NFL Scouting Combine
Michael Mayer came to Notre Dame with a lot of expectations out of Covington Catholic in Kentucky, sitting as a consensus top 100 recruit by every major recruiting service. To say he met every expectation would be a massive understatement. He leaves South Bend as arguably the greatest tight end to ever dawn the blue and gold at a school that has developed the position as well as anyone historically.
He is set for his next challenge, the NFL. This draft process will be vital for Mayer to determine where he hears his name in the 2023 NFL Draft come this April. His time is now.
This upcoming week marks the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine kicking off. Mayer will have an opportunity to wow evaluators and leave no questions of just how good of a player he can be on the next level.
CURRENT PROJECTION
There has been some off variability of Mayer’s draft projection over the last couple of months. As the 2022 season was winding down, there was little doubt that the Irish star would not only be the first tight end off the board, but also a virtual lock to go in the first round come April.
There seems to have been some analysis paralysis for Mayer, who has been a player that people have been talking about for three years. When a prospect has been so widely known for so long, sometimes people start overthinking them. It happens every single year.
That is what has been happening with Mayer, who checks a whole lot of boxes to be considered the top tight end in the class. Still, we can’t completely discourage the possibility that the overthinking doesn’t trickle over to NFL evaluators.
We have seen some very reputable NFL Draft analysts, who have some obvious connections in the NFL, have been projecting several other players as the top tight end off the board. We have now seen Mayer, Darnell Washington (Georgia), Dalton Kincaid (Utah) and Luke Musgrave (Oregon State) all get some talk at the top of the class.
While I do think it will be Mayer as the first player selected when all is said and done, we have to be open to the possibility. Regardless, there would be some massive surprise if Mayer is not selected in the first round, especially with a solid pre draft process.
WHAT’S ON THE LINE AT THE COMBINE?
The biggest question that people have raised about Mayer is his overall athleticism. There are some that believe that he isn’t a very athletic mover, winning mostly off of his size and physicality.
Passing medical exams and acing the team meetings are paramount but are things that you expect from medical. People have very little concern of either area and should be nothing more than a momentary mention during the week at the Combine
Mayer has the chance to completely shut down the notion of lack of athleticism in Indianapolis next week. There is a belief that he could test better than what some people are projecting, which could go a long way to quieting any concerns that are out there.
It will be interesting to see where Mayer comes in weighing. After player more in the 250 to 255 pound range during the majority of his first two years, the junior did come in at 265 pounds this past season. You shouldn’t be surprised to see him come in lighter to test better.
Here are some marks that would be nice benchmarks for Mayer to hit.
40-Yard Dash: 4.70 seconds or better
Vertical Jump: 34 inches or higher
Broad Jump: 10 feet or better
3-Cone Drill: 7.25 seconds or better
Short Shuttle: 4.35 seconds or better
Bench Press: 20 reps or better
NEXT STEP
From here, Mayer is tasked with selling himself for the most part. Team visits are going to be the paramount portion of the process. He will need to make organizations comfortable with him as a person and football player.
The Pro Day at Notre Dame will be more of a formality, unless he has a test that he decides to pass on at the Combine. This is the shaking hands and kissing babies portion for Mayer. Keep yourself ready and let the chips fall where they may.
Irish Breakdown Fans be sure to get your Notre Dame tickets from SI Tickets HERE
Be sure to check out the Irish Breakdown message board, the Champions Lounge
Irish Breakdown Content
2023 Scholarship Chart
2023 Football Schedule
Notre Dame 2023 Scholarship Offers
Notre Dame 2024 Scholarship Offers
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Offense
2023 Recruiting Class Grades - Defense
———————
Become a premium Irish Breakdown member, which grants you access to all of our premium content and our premium message board! Click on the link below for more.
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!
Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @RiseNDraft
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook
