When Michael Mayer first stepped onto the grass in South Bend, he didn’t look like a freshman. He looked like a guy who had been catching touchdowns in the snow since the Lou Holtz era. You probably remember the nickname "Baby Gronk." It stuck to him like a defender trying—and failing—to tackle him in the open field.
But honestly? That nickname sorta did him a disservice. Rob Gronkowski was a freak of nature with vertical speed that shouldn't exist for a man that size. Michael Mayer Notre Dame highlights weren't about outrunning people. They were about a 6-foot-4, 250-pounder making life miserable for linebackers through sheer willpower and some of the most "pro-ready" hands we've seen in a decade.
If you look at the record books now, Mayer’s name is everywhere. He didn’t just play at Notre Dame; he redefined what the position looked like at a school that calls itself "Tight End U."
Why the "Baby Gronk" Label Was Actually Wrong
Most people saw the size and the #87 jersey and assumed he was just a bulldozer. That's a mistake. Mayer was more like a basketball power forward playing chess. Before he was a star at Covington Catholic in Kentucky, he almost didn't play football at all. He wanted to play college hoops. You can see that every time he boxes out a safety.
His game was built on leverage and subtle movement.
Unlike many modern tight ends who are basically just oversized wide receivers, Mayer could actually block. He was an extension of the offensive line. But then, on third-and-seven, he’d find the soft spot in a zone, snag a ball with a defender draped over his back, and move the chains.
Every. Single. Time.
The Numbers That Shouldn't Be Possible
It’s hard to overstate how much the Notre Dame offense leaned on him. Usually, a tight end is a "safety valve." For the Irish, Mayer was the engine. Look at these career totals:
- 180 receptions (The most by any tight end in school history).
- 2,099 receiving yards.
- 18 touchdowns.
Think about the names he passed to get those records. Tyler Eifert. Cole Kmet. Kyle Rudolph. Ken MacAfee. These are NFL staples and college legends. Mayer blew past them in just three seasons. By his junior year in 2022, he was a Consensus All-American, and he was basically the only person on the field the opposing defensive coordinator cared about.
He had a 31% target-per-route-run rate in his final year. That's basically unheard of for a tight end. It means if he was running a route, the ball was probably going to him.
The Secret to His 2023 NFL Draft Value
When the 2023 NFL Draft rolled around, the "experts" started overthinking it. They looked at his 4.70-second 40-yard dash and worried he wasn't "dynamic" enough. They saw guys like Dalton Kincaid or Sam LaPorta and got distracted by the shiny new speed toys.
But the Las Vegas Raiders knew better. Or at least, they thought they did when they traded up to grab him at 35th overall.
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What the Raiders saw—and what Notre Dame fans knew—was a high-floor player. Mayer isn't going to win a footrace against a corner, but he has elite agility in short spaces. His 20-yard shuttle (4.44s) and three-cone drill (7.26s) showed he could change direction better than guys 20 pounds lighter.
Life in the Pros: A Reality Check
Transitioning to the NFL is never a straight line. In his rookie year with the Raiders, he had 27 catches and 2 touchdowns. Not exactly "Baby Gronk" numbers yet. Then 2024 happened, and the Raiders drafted Brock Bowers, another "generational" tight end.
Suddenly, Mayer wasn't the focal point anymore.
By the end of the 2025 season, things started getting interesting again. With Bowers dealing with a knee injury late in the year, Mayer reminded everyone why he was a legend in South Bend. In a December 2025 game against the Giants, he hauled in 9 catches for 89 yards. He ended the 2025 regular season with 35 receptions for 328 yards.
He’s basically become the ultimate "1B" tight end. He does the dirty work—the heavy lifting in the run game—and then pops up for a crucial third-down conversion when the defense is hyper-focused on the speedsters.
What We Can Learn From the Mayer Era
Mayer’s time at Notre Dame taught us that "Tight End U" isn't just a marketing slogan; it’s a standard. He proved that you don't need a 4.4 forty to be the best player on the field. You need a high football IQ, the ability to catch a brick in a rainstorm, and the toughness to block a defensive end on one play and run a post route the next.
If you’re watching the Raiders or keeping an eye on the next crop of Irish tight ends, keep these "Mayer-isms" in mind:
- Catch Radius Matters: It's not about being open; it's about being "open enough." Mayer’s 31 5/8-inch arms and massive hands made his catch radius a nightmare for defenders.
- The "Y" is Not Dead: In a league obsessed with "F" tight ends (the move guys), Mayer is a true "Y." He can put his hand in the dirt.
- Reliability Over Flash: 34 consecutive games with a catch at Notre Dame. That’s the definition of a teammate a quarterback trusts.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Evaluators
If you're tracking Michael Mayer's trajectory or looking for the "next" version of him in college ball, here is what to look for. Don't get blinded by the 40-yard dash times you see at the Combine. Instead, watch how a player uses their body to shield defenders on slant routes.
Check the "Contested Catch" stats. Mayer excelled here because he didn't wait for the ball; he attacked it. If you're a young player, study his tape specifically for his footwork at the top of the route. He doesn't waste steps.
For those following the Raiders, Mayer is currently the premier "insurance policy" and heavy-personnel weapon. While Bowers gets the headlines, Mayer is the one making the rushing attack viable. His value is often hidden in the "Expected Points Added" on run plays rather than your fantasy football box score. Watch the film, and you'll see a guy who still plays every snap like he's trying to prove he belongs at the top of the Notre Dame record books.
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To truly understand the impact Michael Mayer had on the college game, you have to look past the "Baby Gronk" memes. He was a singular force who mastered the boring parts of football so well that he made them look spectacular.
Next Steps for You:
Compare Mayer’s college production against the current Notre Dame tight end roster to see if anyone is on pace to challenge his 180-reception record. You should also watch his 2022 performance against BYU—it’s arguably the most dominant single-game performance by a tight end in modern college history.