Michael Mayer says he ‘didn’t enjoy’ football as a kid, loved basketball

Michael Mayer is one of the best tight ends in college football, ready to lead Notre Dame this season. Once his time in college does come to an end, he will be a highly touted prospect in the NFL Draft as well. Meaning, Mayer has a bright future in football over the next few years.

But football was far from the tight end’s first love. In a recent interview with ESPN, Mayer revealed he “didn’t enjoy” football growing up and basketball was his sport. Once Mayer realized he was a good football player and potentially a future, he developed a bigger passion for the gridiron.

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“I didn’t really enjoy it when I was little,” Mayer said. “Fifth, sixth, seventh grade, I really had my sights on basketball. I really loved basketball. I loved the sport of basketball and the five-on-five type of thing instead of 11 on 11. Football definitely grew on me. I got a bit taller, got a bit bigger. Then I realized, I was pretty good. Once you realize you’re good at something, you kind of start liking it a little bit more. And I realized football was probably the best thing for me going forward. I switched to football but I still have a very, very big passion for basketball.”

Sticking with football has paid off for Mayer. He was a borderline five-star prospect and was the No. 3 tight end in the 2020 class. Mayer has been effective once on campus as well, catching 113 passes for 1,290 yards and nine touchdowns over two seasons.

Basketball skills still help Michael Mayer

Even since he does not play basketball competitively anymore, Mayer still uses some of the traits he learned from the hardwood. He said his jump shot may be gone but his route running has benefitted from playing basketball in the past.

“Playing as much basketball as a kid as I did, has definitely helped me as a football player, 100%,” said Mayer. “My feet, my quickness, getting out of routes, all that type of thing. But as I got bigger and my frame got out a little bit, I definitely lost my jump shot. I couldn’t shoot, was getting a bit slower. I was gaining weight. There were a lot of different things that went into it but basketball as a whole has helped me tremendously as a football player.”