Michael Mayer reveals Draft Day plans, what he wants from the team that picks him

Former Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer is keeping it simple for his 2023 NFL Draft viewing experience. The likely first-round pick won’t be in the green room in Kansas City, but will instead be surrounded by family and friends in northern Kentucky as he watches the draft from home.

For Mayer, it’s really about paying back all the people who helped him get to the precipice of an NFL career. From football coaches to friends and, of course, family, Mayer wants be around the people who got him to this point.

“I think there’s a lot of people that have helped me in my football career along the way. Starting with transitioning from basketball to football, including my high school coach. My parents, my family, my friends. And I want to be with them. I think it’s very important to be with them, show them thank you for your help, thank you for what you’ve done. And to be in the same room as them,” Mayer said in an interview on SportsCenter on Wendesday.

ESPN studio anchor Matt Barrie asked Mayer what he’ll do right after he gets the call that he’s been drafted.

The former Notre Dame star had a straightforward response.

“I’m gonna hug my mom and dad, probably,” Mayer said. “I’m going to thank everybody in the room. Thank everybody for the support over the years. And I’m going to celebrate. I’m going to have some fun with my family and friends and kind of enjoy it for the next 24 hours. And then after that it’s time to get ready to play some ball.”

Mayer is less concerned about where he plays than who he plays with in the NFL

Heading to the NFL, Mayer isn’t too caught up on which team will take him. Not that he has much say in the matter.

However, there is one thing the pass catcher wants from whatever team he joins: Good quarterback play. That leaves open any number of options, still, and one in particular that Mayer would find special.

“I think if there’s one thing I could say, it’s a great quarterback. That’s who I want to play with. I grew up 10 minutes from Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. I think that would be pretty fun for me to be able to play there with Joe Burrow,” Mayer said. “And there’s just so many different teams and so many different coaches that I’d love to play with. So if I could pick one, maybe I’d say the Cincinnati Bengals. But at this point, you never know. I want to play with a good quarterback and I want to win ball games.”