Notre Dame Football: 3 instant impact signees from 2020 class

As the only five-star recruit coming to South Bend this season, Michael Mayer is fully expected to contribute as a freshman.

With Cole Kmet leaving early for the NFL Draft, the Irish need another contributor at tight end. Tommy Tremble and Brock Wright return at tight end for the Irish, but Mayer should have every opportunity to play a lot next season.

Tremble is an athletic, pass-catching tight end and you might see Tremble in the slot as a receiver and Wright is more of a blocking tight end while Mayer is in the mold of what Notre Dame loves in a tight end.

Mayer had drawn comparisons to Philadelphia Eagles’ tight end Zach Ertz. He’s a competent blocker with large hands who can patrol the seam of a defense.

Brian Kelly was very bullish on getting back to the “DNA” of Notre Dame football. One “strand” of the DNA of Notre Dame football is the tight end position. Even with three tight ends, all of them will get significant playing time. Another side of this narrative is creating competition. Players the caliber of Mayer creates competition at the skill positions with the expectation that some of the younger potentially more talented young players will beat out veterans for playing time.