#87 Michael Mayer 2021-22 Football Roster

HONORS & AWARDS

• The Athletic Freshman All-America First Team
• All-ACC Third Team
• All-ACC Academic Team
• Phil Steele All-ACC Fourth Team
• 247Sports True Freshman All-America Team
• Pro Football Focus Team of the Week at Pitt (10/24)
• FWAA Freshman All-American Watch List

FRESHMAN SEASON (2020)

• In his first game action in an Irish uniform, Mayer made a difference off the bench, posting three receptions for 38 yards, including a 17-yard long, in the season-opening win vs. Duke (9/12).
• Posted his first-career start, catching one pass for five yards, in the 52-0 win vs. South Florida (9/19).
• Caught two passes for 25 yards and a touchdown in the win vs. Florida State (10/10). 
• Posted one reception for 12 yards, hurdling a defender, in the 12-7 win vs. Louisville (10/17). 
• Tallied five receptions for 73 yards and a TD (23-yard long) in the 45-2 win at Pitt (10/24). Mayer’s five receptions vs. Pittsburgh were the most by a true freshman, and tie for the most by a tight end, in the ACC that week. All five of Mayer’s receptions resulted in first downs, and all were for a gain of 10 yards or longer. Notre Dame totaled 11 passing first downs. Mayer averaged 14.6 yards per catch, the third-best mark in the ACC that week (min. five receptions). Of the 11 ACC pass-catchers who posted five or more catches on the week, just three players also recorded a receiving touchdown, including Mayer. Mayer’s touchdown came on a 14-yard pass from QB Ian Book to put the Irish up 38-3 in the third quarter at Pittsburgh. 
• Caught three passes for 15 yards in the 31-13 win at Georgia Tech (10/31).
• Caught five passes for 67 yards in the 47-40 2OT win over then-No. 1 Clemson (11/7). 
• Posted one reception for 12 yards in the 45-31 win at Boston College (11/14).
• Recorded four receptions for 54 yards in the 31-17 win at No. 19 North Carolina (11/27).
• Started and posted five receptions for 36 yards in the 41-25 regular season finale win over Syracuse (12/5).
• Led the Irish with five receptions for 51 yards in the ACC Championship game (12/19).
• Started and led the Irish in receiving yards with 62 (seven receptions) in the CFP Semifinal at the Rose Bowl Game (1/1/21). His seven receptions were a single-game career-high.

PREP AND PERSONAL

• A four-star recruit by 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN.com
• No. 48 overall player nationally, No. 2 tight end nationally and No. 1 player from Kentucky by 247Sports.com
• No. 37 overall player nationally, No. 3 tight end nationally and No. 1 player from Kentucky by Rivals (6.0 Rivals rank)
• No. 81 player nationally, No. 33 regionally, No. 3 tight end nationally and No. 1 player from Kentucky by ESPN.com (84 Scout Grade)
• Named the 2019 Gatorade Kentucky Football Player of the Year
• In 2019, posted 49 receptions for 970 yards and 15 touchdowns, adding two rushing touchdowns
• On defense, tallied 102.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks and four interceptions (returning one for a touchdown)
• Helped Covington Catholic to a Kentucky 5A State Championship in 2019, and was named the MVP of the title game
• Named 2019 Kentucky Football Coaches Association Mr. Football and 5A District 5 Player of the Year
• Selected to the 2020 U.S. Army All-American Bowl
• Played for coach Eddie Eviston at Covington Catholic