Notre Dame watch list roundup: Michael Mayer a Mackey Award candidate, Jarrett Patterson on Rimington list
As far as watch list inclusions go, it was the easiest of inclusions to predict. Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer is on the preseason candidate list for the John Mackey Award, released Friday. The trophy goes to the nation’s best tight end.
Mayer made a strong case to winning it last year. He posted 71 catches, which led all Power Five tight ends. His 840 receiving yards were fourth among FBS tight ends. He caught seven touchdowns, setting a single-season program record at the position.
In a tremendous surprise, though, he was not named one of three finalists for it in 2021. He begins his junior season as one of 54 names on the Mackey watch list. He figures to be a season-long contender, if not a frontrunner.
Mayer has been a near-unanimous presence on preseason All-America teams this summer. Most of them have tabbed Georgia’s Brock Bowers as the first-team tight end, with Mayer on the second team. Sporting News was an exception, giving Mayer the first-team nod over Bowers.
Tyler Eifert (2012) is Notre Dame’s lone Mackey Award winner among the trophy’s 22 recipients.
Jarrett Patterson on Rimington list
Jarrett Patterson might be on the move to a new position on Notre Dame’s offensive line. That likelihood didn’t disqualify him from making the Rimington Award watch list Friday, which goes to the country’s best center. He is one of 38 names on it.
It’s likely Patterson opens fall camp at guard, but that move is not material yet. Camp does not start for 13 more days. And his body of work at center is arguably as impressive as any FBS returning starter at the position. He started 34 games there from 2019-21 and has not allowed a sack in his career.
Notre Dame has not had a Rimington Award winner since its creation in 2000.
Other Notre Dame players on watch lists
So far, seven preseason watch lists have included Notre Dame players. Mayer is also on the list for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the nation’s best receiver. He also appeared on the list for the Maxwell Award (most outstanding player). Running back Chris Tyree made the Doak Walker Award preseason list.
Elsewhere, linebacker JD Bertrand is an Allstate Good Works team nominee. Bertrand and safety Brandon Joseph were two of the 42 players the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list in May. That award goes to the defensive player who “has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field.”
Ten more awards will release their preseason watch lists between July 25 and August 1.
