Notre Dame at the NFL Combine, Saturday live blog: Tight end Michael Mayer goes through workouts

Former Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer has a chance to solidify his standing as the top tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft. And he will look to do it while going toe-to-toe against the other top contenders for the No. 1 spot during Saturday’s NFL Scouting Combine.

Mayer is one of four former Fighting Irish football players partaking in this week’s events. EDGE rusher Isaiah Foskey and safety Brandon Joseph worked out in front of NFL evaluators on Thursday and Friday, respectively. Offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson will work out Sunday.

Tight end on-field workouts begin at 4 p.m. EST at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The NFL Network’s broadcast of Saturday’s session starts with the quarterbacks and wide receivers at 1 p.m. EST. 

Entering his workout, NFL.com gave Mayer a 6.48 prospect grade, which equates to becoming a good starter within two years. His NFL Next Gen Stats total score of 87 ranks him second among tight ends in this year’s class.

“Big combination tight end with the demeanor for run blocking and the size for tough, chain-moving catches underneath,” said NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein in his evaluation report. “Mayer will come into the league with better-blocking technique than most tight ends in this year’s draft. He’s built for in-line duty and was an extension of the Notre Dame offensive line at times. 

“His feet are a little heavy getting into and through his routes, but he has the hand strength and contact balance to win heavily contested catches on the first two levels. Mayer might need to polish his route running to become a high-volume target, but he’s a safe pick and will be a good pro who can become a plus player as a run blocker and pass catcher.”

Mayer is looking to become the first Notre Dame tight end drafted in the first round since the Cincinnati Bengals selected Tyler Eifert at No. 21 overall in 2013. Since then, the Irish have had six other tight ends drafted. Tommy Tremble (No. 83 overall) was the most recent in 2021.

A product of Alexandria (Ky.) Covington Catholic High, Mayer was ranked as the No. 34 overall player, No. 3 tight end and No. 1 player in Kentucky coming out of high school. 

After three seasons with the Irish, he became the program’s all-time leader in every major tight-end category. Mayer finished his Notre Dame career with 180 receptions, 2,099 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was a 2022 consensus All-American and declared for the NFL Draft on Dec. 7.

Follow along with this live blog Saturday afternoon that will be updated with Mayer’s NFL Scouting Combine results.

Live updates: NFL Combine Day 2 workouts

11:08 a.m. EST: Mayer checks in at 6-foot-4 ½-inches and 249 pounds. His hand size is 9 ½ inches, with an arm length of 31 ⅝ inches. And his wingspan measures 76 ¼ inches. 

Mayer is down 16 pounds from his junior season playing weight at Notre Dame.

1 p.m. EST: Quarterbacks and wide receivers begin their workouts.

4 p.m. EST: Tight ends are scheduled to hit the field for their workouts. 

6:11 p.m. EST: Mayer charts a 32.5-inch vertical, which ranks 12th of 14 tight ends. He leaped 9 feet, 10 inches in the broad jump, which was 10th of 15 tight ends.

6:38 p.m. EST: On his first attempt in the 40-yard dash, Mayer clocks a 4.74-second unofficial time.

6:48 p.m. EST: Mayer runs a 4.72-second unofficial time in the 40-yard dash on his second attempt.

7:06 p.m. EST: As Mayer goes through drills against the blocking sled, NFL Analyst Daniel Jeremiah said, “That’s Mayer’s game. He can do everything. He’s a complete tight end.”

7:15 p.m. EST: Jeremiah mentions he thinks Mayer will be drafted in the first round.

7:20 p.m. EST: Mayer looks excellent in the gauntlet drill.

.@NDFootball TE Michael Mayer crushing the gauntlet.

📺: #NFLCombine on @nflnetwork
📱: Stream on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/CluECAS2Ov

— NFL (@NFL) March 5, 2023

7:34 p.m. EST: Mayer’s official 40-yard dash time comes in at 4.70 seconds.

7:35 p.m. EST: The NFL Network dedicates air time to Mayer after he makes a great catch.

“This is a big body target,” Jeremiah said. “He can go up and get it. Big catch radius. Tough catches, combat catches. That was one of the things — how much separation can he get? Does he get a lot of separation? Well, a lot of times it doesn’t matter. He’s unbelievable at contested catches.”

Jeremiah compares Mayer to Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz.