Michael Mayer Bio
Michael Richard Mayer is an American professional football tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighing around 256 pounds, he plays the tight end position wearing jersey number 87. He entered the NFL in 2023 after a standout college career at Notre Dame, where he set the program’s all-time record for receptions by a tight end.
Drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Mayer quickly became a reliable target for the Raiders. Known for his size, sure hands, and route-running ability, he represents the modern style of tight end who can block in the run game while contributing as a pass catcher. His combination of production at a top college program and early professional experience has made him a notable young player at the position.
Early Life and Background
Michael Richard Mayer was born on July 6, 2001, in Independence, Kentucky. He grew up in the Northern Kentucky region near Cincinnati, in a community with deep ties to high school football. From an early age, he was drawn to the sport, developing the size and skills that would later define his game at the highest levels.
He attended Covington Catholic High School in Park Hills, Kentucky, where he became one of the most productive tight ends in the state. As a senior in 2019, Mayer was named the Gatorade Kentucky Football Player of the Year after recording 49 receptions for 970 yards and 15 touchdowns. His senior performance earned him a selection to the 2020 All-American Bowl, a prestigious high school showcase featuring the nation’s top recruits.
Following his senior season, Mayer committed to the University of Notre Dame to play college football. The decision reflected both his academic interests and his desire to compete in one of the most tradition-rich programs in the country. His high school résumé positioned him as a consensus top-tier tight end recruit.
Path to American Football
Mayer’s path to the professional ranks began long before his college career, rooted in the competitive high school football culture of Kentucky. At Covington Catholic, he played in a system that emphasized both physical tight end play and receiving production, preparing him for the demands of a major college program.
His selection to the 2020 All-American Bowl gave him national visibility against the top defensive players in his recruiting class. That exposure, combined with his senior statistics, helped solidify his reputation as a player who could contribute immediately at the college level. Notre Dame offered the ideal fit, pairing a strong academic environment with a football program that regularly produces NFL talent.
Arriving in South Bend as part of Notre Dame’s 2020 recruiting class, Mayer was expected to compete for early playing time. The tight end tradition at Notre Dame, featuring notable NFL alumni, set a high standard. His high school preparation and physical tools made him a natural fit for the program’s offensive scheme.
Michael Mayer Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Mayer stepped directly into the starting lineup at Notre Dame as a true freshman in 2020, an unusual achievement at a program of Notre Dame’s caliber. His early impact earned him third-team All-ACC recognition that season, signaling his arrival as one of the conference’s top young tight ends.
Over the following two seasons, Mayer continued to develop into a focal point of the Fighting Irish offense. By the end of his college career, he had accumulated 180 receptions, making him Notre Dame’s all-time leader in catches by a tight end. His combination of size, body control, and consistent hands made him a reliable target in key situations.
Notre Dame Breakthrough (2021–2022)
In 2021, Mayer was named a third-team All-American, reinforcing his status among the nation’s best tight ends. He continued to produce at a high level, serving as a security blanket for Notre Dame’s quarterbacks and contributing in both the passing game and as a run blocker at the line of scrimmage.
His junior season in 2022 represented the peak of his college career. He surpassed former Notre Dame standout Tyler Eifert to become the school’s all-time receptions leader at tight end, finishing with 180 career catches. That same year, Mayer was named a consensus All-American, becoming the first Notre Dame player to earn that honor since Ken MacAfee in 1976, a distinction that placed him among the program’s all-time greats.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2023–Present)
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Mayer with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. His draft position reflected both his college production and the positional value teams place on tight ends who can contribute as blockers and receivers. He joined a Raiders offense looking to add a young, reliable pass catcher to its core.
As a rookie in 2023, Mayer played in 14 games with 12 starts and recorded 27 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns. He scored his first professional touchdown in Week 10 against the New York Jets, a milestone that confirmed his ability to produce at the NFL level. In the 2024 season, he added 21 receptions for 156 yards, continuing to refine his role within the offense.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mayer brings a balanced skill set to the tight end position, combining effective inline blocking with reliable pass-catching ability. His size makes him a difficult matchup for defensive backs, while his route-running and hands allow him to function as a possession receiver. He works the middle of the field with consistency, providing his quarterbacks with a dependable target on intermediate routes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Mayer’s most notable achievements is becoming Notre Dame’s all-time receptions leader at tight end with 180 catches, a record that places him above players who went on to significant NFL careers. He was also a consensus All-American in 2022, the first Notre Dame player to earn that honor at his position in nearly five decades. His selection in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft marked the formal transition from college standout to professional player.
Michael Mayer Career Wins
Michael Mayer’s career highlights center on statistical achievements, records, and postseason recognition rather than championship victories. He has earned All-American honors, set Notre Dame program records, and contributed as a starter for the Las Vegas Raiders since entering the NFL.
Notre Dame Highlights
Across three seasons at Notre Dame, Mayer totaled 180 receptions, the most by any tight end in program history. He was a third-team All-American in 2021 and a consensus All-American in 2022, the first consensus All-American at Notre Dame since Ken MacAfee in 1976. He also earned third-team All-ACC recognition as a freshman in 2020, an unusual honor for a first-year player.
Other Wins and Performances
At the high school level, Mayer won the Gatorade Kentucky Football Player of the Year award in 2019 following a dominant senior season. He was also selected to play in the 2020 All-American Bowl, one of the premier high school all-star games in the country. These honors marked him as one of the top tight end recruits in his class.
Michael Mayer Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Michael Mayer was raised in Independence, Kentucky, where he developed his early love for football. The Northern Kentucky region is known for its strong high school football culture, and Mayer benefited from that competitive environment throughout his youth.
Personal Life
Mayer is the cousin of Luke Maile, a professional baseball catcher who plays in Major League Baseball within the Kansas City Royals organization. The connection reflects a family with a tradition of athletic achievement across multiple sports. Mayer focuses primarily on his professional football career with the Las Vegas Raiders.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Michael Mayer is expected to take on an expanded role within the Las Vegas Raiders offense. As a player entering his third professional season, he has the experience and physical development to emerge as a primary target at the tight end position. The Raiders’ offensive scheme will likely look to leverage his receiving skills while continuing to develop his blocking consistency.
Through his first two NFL seasons, Mayer has accumulated 83 receptions for 788 receiving yards and 3 receiving touchdowns, according to career statistics tracked through the 2025 season. Those totals reflect steady production as he has adjusted to the speed and complexity of professional defensive schemes. Continued growth in route precision and yards-after-catch ability could push his numbers higher in the coming year.
For the 2025 season, Mayer’s outlook includes the opportunity to build chemistry with the Raiders’ quarterback group and establish himself as a trusted intermediate receiving option. With a full offseason of development and a clearer role within the offense, he is positioned to take a meaningful step forward in his professional trajectory.
