Notre Dame icon Brady Quinn sounds off on Brock Bowers winning Mackey Award over Michael Mayer

One of the most-watched awards during the College Football Awards show was the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end. Georgia star Brock Bowers and Notre Dame standout Michael Mayer were the frontrunners, and Bowers took home the award Thursday.

That didn’t sit well with former Notre Dame star Brady Quinn.

Quinn, now a FOX analyst, took to Twitter to call out the committee for voting for Bowers over Mayer. As On3 and Blue & Gold’s Tyler Horka pointed out, Mayer had more catches, yards and touchdowns than Bowers this year and the former came in as the highest-graded tight end in the country, according to Pro Football Focus.

“Mackey Award committee has some explaining to do,” Quinn tweeted. “What metrics or film are they watching??  Mayer had a better year receiving and it’s NOT EVEN close as a blocker.”

Mayer hauled in 67 receptions for 809 yards and nine touchdowns while Bowers had 52 catches for 726 yards and six touchdowns. However, Bowers saw plenty of action in the running game for Georgia, taking six carries for 93 yards and three touchdowns — meaning he scored on half his touches. Mayer didn’t have a rushing attempt this season.

Bowers also had more wins to his name this season as Georgia went a perfect 12-0 this year to seal the No. 1 ranking in the College Football Playoff. Mayer and Notre Dame went 8-4 and are heading to the Gator Bowl. However, Mayer won’t play in that game as he prepares for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Mayer announced his declaration for the draft earlier this week and came in as the No. 1 tight end on ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s Big Board Thursday. That means his college career is done, but Bowers still has at least one more year. He’ll be a junior next season, meaning he’s not done filling up the stat sheet for Georgia just yet.