Mike Mayer already holds the three primary (receptions, yards, and touchdowns) single-season and career records for Notre Dame tight ends. By the time he hangs up his cleats, leaving for the NFL with one more college year available, he will be putting those records far out of reach for future Notre Dame tight ends. He will likely be considered by many to be ND’s greatest TE.
Who are the other ND tight ends who had impressive careers? The answer is not simple. To begin with, the name of the position has not been around as long as the players who have manned the spot.
Just exactly what is a tight end? In the years before 1964, everyone played both ways and college lines were symmetrical. Ends were described by which side of the offensive line they were posted. Once college football did away with single platoons, player specialization revolutionized the game. This eventually led to fast pass catchers lining up split away from the line or flanked to the wide side of the field, so they had more room to run routes and receive passes. This led to the terms split ends, flankers, and wide receivers.
In the late 50’s, the West Point Football Team, coached by Earl Blaik, featured Bill Carpenter as the “Lonesome End.” He lined up close to the sideline, which was unheard of at the time.
Meanwhile the guy on the other end of the line (usually the right end) was lined up tight to the line, serving mostly as an in-line blocker and occasional pass catcher, often on short throws for first downs. In those days, it was common for the guy we now call the TE to be coached by the same guy who coached the offensive linemen.
The first time the NFL listed anyone as a tight end was 1961, when Mike Ditka, a Chicago Bears rookie, was named All-Pro. The first time College Football listed anyone as a tight end was 1966, when Austin Denney of Tennessee, was first-team All American. The first TE listed in the “Notre Dame Football Media Guide” was Jim Weingardner in 1967.
The attachment lists each year’s leading Tight End from the “Notre Dame Media Guide,” but there are several players missing who fit the role we know today.
Leon Hart was an enormous end for his day, measuring 6-4, 245 pounds. Bill Wightkin and Jim Mutscheller were two of Leon’s fellow ends. Mutscheller would later be the long-time companion end of the Baltimore Colts’ Raymond Berry. Jim was first listed as a TE in 1961.
In the late ‘50s, Notre Dame featured Monte Stickles (6-4, 225 pounds), an outstanding (though not-named as such) TE. Stickles was listed as a right end for his first two NFL years, before being labeled a TE for his final seven.
In the early ‘60s, Notre Dame enrolled Paul Costa, one of the most impressive physical specimens of any era. He came in as a 6-4, 230-pound halfback (!), in the “elephant backfield,” along with fullback, and future ND and NFL tackle Jim Snowden at 6-4, 235 pounds. When Ara Parseghian became Notre Dame’s coach, he moved Costa to defensive end.
Costa played TE and OT in the NFL. As a student worker in Notre Dame’s Sports Publicity Office, I was in a meeting in which Ara was told that Costa was playing TE for the Buffalo Bills. He was incredulous and replied, “Don’t you mean defensive end?” Like Hart and Stickles, Costa’s size closely resembled today’s tight ends.
In my Notre Dame graduating class, Phil Sheridan and Tom Talaga were listed as “ends.” Both were tall for those years. Since Talaga was the more rugged guy, he would likely be the tight end today. Don Gmitter is not listed in the Media Guide as a TE, but he considered that his position in 1965 and 1966, after moving over from DE.
Because the tight end often had a similar role to the Big Uglies he lined up with, there were several ND tight ends who later moved over to play tackle. Costa made the switch after his fourth year in the NFL. Also making the switch in the NFL was Bill Wightkin. When I watch videos of the undefeated Notre Dame teams of 1946-1949, Bill Wightkin stands out. For the Chicago Bears, he began at DE, then moved to TE, before finishing up as an OT.
Among those who made that switch while at ND were George Kunz (too handsome to be on anyone’s list of uglies), Tom Rehder, and Andy Heck. Kunz played nine years in the NFL; Rehder, three; and Heck, 12. Kunz was the No. 2 pick in the draft, right behind O.J. Simpson. Heck was the No. 15 pick in his draft. This is Andy’s 31st year in the NFL as player and offensive line coach. He’s spent the past nine years with the Kansas City Chiefs, winning the Super Bowl in 2019. His son Charlie is an OT with the Houston Texans.
On the current Fighting Irish team, Joe Alt made the switch from being a high school TE to college OT, as soon as he hit campus.
Dave Casper, a sui generis athlete, made the rare switch from OT to TE. He was an outstanding blocker at both spots. He arrived as a versatile guy likely ticketed to play TE, but ND had a need at tackle, while having two very talented guys (Mike Creaney and Robin Weber) able to play TE, so Dave was moved inside. He even received some All American votes as a tackle. He also played wide receiver and defensive tackle!
I doubt any other college football player has done that in the past 60 years. Dave is in both the College and NFL Halls of Fame. His outstanding athleticism was further demonstrated on the “Superstars” TV special — created by my ND Communication Arts classmate Don Ohlmeyer. When the Raiders drafted “The Ghost,” it was reported they were one of the few teams considering using him at TE, such was his versatility.
Pete Holohan was also unique among ND’s “tight ends.” Recruited as a high school QB, he was used exclusively as a flanker at ND. He was also a highly regarded high school basketball player. He was drafted by the NFL as a tight end and played that spot for 11 years.
Who are the folks actually called TE who belong in Notre Dame’s Tight End Mount Rushmore because they often blocked more so our running backs could rush more? Eric Hansen, who overcame his educational shortcomings from a state university in Columbus, Ohio, has been an outstanding Notre Dame Football beat writer for more than 30 years. A few years ago, he picked ND’s top tight ends:
- Ken MacAfee
- Dave Casper
- John Carlson
- Tony Hunter
- Derek Brown
- Kyle Rudolph
- Anthony Fasano
- Mark Bavaro
- Irv Smith
I asked Eric for his current Top Ten. Here is his reply (edited slightly):
In concocting a list of the top 10 tight ends of Tight End U., you would think it might be Kelly Era-heavy. It’s not, in part because Kelly became a victim of sorts of his own success. Five Kelly Era starters at tight end left Notre Dame for the NFL with a year of eligibility on the table. Three were true three-and-outs. So some players who may have been on a trajectory to be among the all-time greats turned into what-ifs or were lower on the list than they’d otherwise have been.
The methodology used in creating the Top 10 tight ends at Tight End U., is a blend of art and science. All-America status, NFL Draft status, team success, and a player’s standing stat-wise in ND history all were major factors. To some degree the context and era in which they played factored in. Some tight ends simply were minimized in their respective offenses, because that’s where offenses had evolved at the time. Longevity mattered in the formula, to a degree.
What was absolutely NOT factored in was how the player eventually performed in the NFL. Mark Bavaro, for instance, played his best football after Notre Dame and would have ranked higher in the top 10 had NFL careers been included in the calculations.
So the only addition to my prior list would be Michael Mayer … but where? Since he will own all the records, it would seem he should be No. 1. I’ll let this season play out just to see what those numbers and his awards look like. But he’d be 1-2 or 3.
My hunch is to split the difference and put Mayer at No. 2. Eifert was a two-time All-American and he did help lead his team into a national title game. He did not have elite QBs throwing to him. Mayer played on a playoff team (2020).
Why I’m leaning toward MacAfee is context — shorter seasons than Mayer, so less opportunity to pile up his numbers (though he was a four-year player). A three-time All-American and a third-place finisher in the 1977 Heisman balloting on a national championship team, and to get that recognition over teammates Ross Browner and Joe Montana says a lot. He was also the Walter Camp Player of the Year. So — 1. MacAfee, 2. Mayer, 3. Eifert.
BTW, Eric is Publisher of “Inside ND Sports.” All ND Football fans should continue to follow him on this new site. I compiled some ND-TE data to see what that might tell us.
ND Receptions/Yards
1. 180, 2,099 Michael Mayer 2020-2022
2. 140, 1,840 Tyler Eifert 2009-12
3. 128, 1,759 Ken MacAfee 1974-77
4. 100, 1,093 John Carlson 2004-07
5. 92, 1,112 Anthony Fasano 2003-05
6. 90, 1,032 Kyle Rudolph 2008-10
7. 70, 904 Tony Hunter 1979-82
8. 68, 716 Alizé Mack 2015-18
9. 62, 899 Derek Brown 1988-91
9. 62, 924 Dean Masztak 1978-81
11. 60, 691 Cole Kmet 2017-2019
ND Team Captains who were Tight Ends
1949 Leon Hart
1951 Jim Mutscheller
1973 Dave Casper
2000 Dan O’Leary & Jabari Holloway
2012 Tyler Eifert
2022 Mike Mayer
ND All-American Tight Ends
1947 Leon Hart
1948 Leon Hart
1949 Leon Hart, plus Heisman Trophy
1951 Jim Mutscheller
1958 Monte Stickles
1959 Monte Stickles
1973 Dave Casper
1975 Ken MacAfee
1976 Ken MacAfee
1977 Ken MacAfee
1982 Tony Hunter
1984 Mark Bavaro
1991 Derek Brown
1992 Irv Smith
2006 John Carlson
2011 Tyler Eifert
2012 Tyler Eifert, plus Mackey Award
2021 Michael Mayer
2022 Michael Mayer
ND Tight Ends in the NFL Draft
1949 Bill Wightkin, 8th
1950 Leon Hart, 1st, #1
1952 Jim Mutscheller, 12th
1960 Monte Stickles, 1st, #11
1962 John Powers, 9th
1963 Jim Kelly, 3rd
1964 Paul Costa, 4th
1964 John Simon, 15th (AFL)
1965 Dave Pivec, 14th
1966 Tom Talaga, 8th
1969 Jim Weingardner, 5th
1973 Mike Creaney, 6th
1974 Dave Casper, 2nd
1975 Tom Fine, 16th
1978 Ken MacAfee, 1st, #7
1981 Pete Holohan, 7th
1983 Tony Hunter, 1st, #12
1985 Mark Bavaro, 4th
1987 Joel Williams, 8th
1992 Derek Brown, 1st, #14
1993 Irv Smith, 1st, #20
1997 Pete Chryplewicz, 5th
2001 Jabari Holloway, 4th
2001 Dan O’Leary, 6th
2002 John Owens, 5th
2011 Kyle Rudolph, 2nd
2013 Tyler Eifert, 1st, #21
2014 Troy Niklas, 2nd
2015 Ben Koyack, 7th
2019 Alize Mack, 7th
2020 Cole Kmet, 2nd
2021 Tommy Tremble, 3rd
2022 Mike Mayer, 1st
NFL Receptions/TD’s
Kyle Rudolph-498/52+
Dave Casper-378/52
Pete Holohan-363-16
Mark Bavaro-351-39
Anthony Fasano-299/36
Monte Stickles-222/16
Tyler Eifert-221/26
John Carlson-210/15
Irv Smith-183/15
Leon Hart-147/24
Cole Kmet-141/9+
Paul Costa-102/6
Durham Smythe-88/3+
Ken McAfee-46/5
Derek Brown-43/1
If one of the criteria for rating tight ends was having a fearsome looking jaw, MacAfee would win the title, with Paul Costa and Monte Stickles battling for second. MacAfee was from Brockton, Massachusetts, so you could predict he would be tough. Other tough guys from his hometown were champion boxers Rocky Marciano and Marvin Hagler; tough-guy, character actor John Doucette (one of my favorites); Raiders owner Al Davis; and Thomas Barry, Notre Dame’s football coach in 1906-1907 (12-1-1).
MacAfee finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting, two spots above Ross Browner. Those two dominating players also fought one of the greatest Bengal Bout Boxing Championships, with the DE outpointing the TE in front of a capacity crowd (including me) in the Athletic and Convocation Center. MacAfee is now an oral surgeon … after previously loosening a few teeth with his blocking? Ken had good genes. His dad was an NFL tight end for six years.
Leon Hart’s son, Kevin, caught one pass in each of his three years as a walk-on TE.
The 1964 Pittsburgh Steelers featured a Notre Dame TE pair. The starter for eight games was John Powers, while Jim Kelly started five. At ND, Kelly was a star, while Powers had only one reception, being hampered by injuries. Powers played five years in the NFL, two more than Kelly. Powers was remembered by Ed Burke, his Notre Dame teammate, “…as fine a person as God ever put on earth besides being a helluva football player.”. During the early ’60s, the Irish were loaded at the end position, but those great players were not well-utilized or well coached.
Dave Pivec played two years in the Canadian Football League both before and after his four years in the NFL. He played for the Rams in 1966-1968, on the same line with ND’s Jack Snow (SE), Joe Carollo (LT), and Joe Scibelli (RG).
A life-long Baltimorean, Dave was friends with fellow ND men Jim Mutscheller, Bob Williams (QB), and Art “Fatso” Donovan (DT). The four were regular lunch companions until the three older fellows passed away. In a phone conversation with me, Art said the other three “busted my chops” about “not hacking it” at ND. After Art returned to ND from his WWII service, Coach Leahy told him that there was no room for him on our line! Art transferred to B.C. and became an All American, Baltimore Colts star, and humorous guest on the Tonight Show.
Mike Creaney was a three-year starter. While not a speedster, he averaged more than 19 yards per catch, by far the best record among all ND’s tight ends.
Robin Weber’s 35 yard third-down reception in the 1973 Sugar Bowl ranks as one of the top catches in ND history, helping the Irish close out the win against Alabama, leading to the National Championship. Weber had great size and speed and was a great blocker. He would likely have had a fine NFL career if injuries had not derailed him.
Eric Hansen believes Tony Hunter is “the most difficult tight end to place among the top 10 because he played WR his first two years at ND, where he had 50 of his 120 career catches”.
Derek Brown was the Parade Magazine High School Player of the Year when he committed to Notre Dame. His first two catches as an ND freshman were for TDs. He became the starter soon after and for 36 consecutive games. Because Irv Smith and Oscar McBride arrived while Derek Brown was holding down the TE position, each of these future pros had to bide their time.
Irv’s 58-yard TD catch versus the Indiana Hoosiers featured him dragging half the residents of Bloomington with him on the final 25 yards to the end zone. Irv Smith, Jr, was a fine college tight end for Alabama and is now in the NFL. ND’s Tommy Tremble, of the Carolina Panthers is the son of Greg, who played in the NFL.
McBride caught only 11 passes as a two-year starter. Lou Holtz was not known for throwing much to his tight ends. Consequently, Oscar was snubbed in the NFL draft. He played two years for the Arizona Cardinals, before leading an exemplary life including serving as an associate of Play Like a Champion Today, “an organization dedicated to providing leadership in a worldwide effort to change the culture of youth sports through education and consultancy”.
Frank Jacobs was another fine tight end playing behind Derek Brown. He caught only two passes at ND, but added a touchdown in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl (I was there!), contributing to Notre Dame’s most recent National Championship. Jacobs might have forged an NFL career, but he excelled at baseball and decided to concentrate on the national pastime. Frank set the ND single season (20) and career (37) home run records. He is still ranked second and fourth.
Jacobs played five years in the minors for the Mets and Expos. He was slated to play first base for the Mets in an April, 1995 game with the players still on the strike, which began the prior August. The Players’ Union sued MLB. Judge Sonia Sotomayor, of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of NY, ruled against the Commissioner, thus taking away the leverage of the owners. Jacobs hit .270, with 57 homers in 547 minor league games.
Jerome Collins was a three-sport high school star and a versatile utility performer for ND. After playing a little TE his senior year, he was selected in the fifth round of the NFL draft. Playing one year in the NFL and on a few practice squads, he picked up two Super Bowl Rings.
Kyle Rudolph, a two-time Pro Bowler, is still adding to his NFL receiving stats, as ND’s all-time leader. He holds ND’s freshman tight end receiving record (28 catches for 340 yards). He caught the second longest ND pass reception, when Dayne Crist hit him for a 95-yard TD, versus Michigan (9-11-2010). He was not far in front of my spot in the end zone when he made the grab and then legged it a long way for a guy his size.
Dan O’Leary showed his versatility by also serving as ND’s long snapper, before that became a recruited and grant-in-aid position and before there were “Long Snapping Camps.” Although John Day-Owenscaught only six passes at Notre Dame, after moving over from DE, he became a fifth-round NFL pick and played seven years.
Anthony Fasano was a 2005 finalist for the Mackey Award for the nation’s top college TE.
Troy Niklas was nicknamed “Hercules”, because of his remarkable physique. His impassioned pep rally speech before the 2012 Michigan Game, in which he took off his shirt, is one of the all-time classics. It is No. 3 of pep rally talks I have witnessed. No. 11 was Assistant Coach John Murphy (1962), in the old Fieldhouse, talking about his brother George, the 1942 Notre Dame Captain and WWII hero. The lantern-jawed Murphy bellowed, “He was a MAN. A NOTRE DAME MAN.” The students raised the roof on the old building. The second was by inspirational walk-on football player, Tim McNeil, who had a large heart in a small body.
Eric Hansen wrote about John Carlson: The former Minnesota all-state tennis player and basketball star (114-8 and three state titles) was a football rarity at ND in his era, as a draftable Irish tight end who stayed in school for five years.
Eric said Tyler Eifert was tabbed as a likely third-rounder if he had left ND after his junior year, during which he set the ND TE record for single season grabs (63) and yards (803). Instead, he came back and set the ND TE career records for both categories and won the 2012 Mackey. Mike Mayer supplanted Eifert on the records lists. His runner-up finish for the Mackey receives a “no comment” from this writer.