Notre Dame signees Michael Mayer, Jordan Johnson fall just short in Rivals' updated rankings
Notre Dame tight end signee Michael Mayer finished two spots away from receiving a bump to five-star status in Rivals’ final updated recruiting rankings of the 2020 class released this week.
The Park Hills (Ky.) Covington Catholic product ascended just one spot overall after being named Kentucky’s Gatorade Player of the Year and impressing at the All-American Bowl earlier this month. He’s now the No. 36 overall player, ranking No. 3 at his position behind five-star tight ends Arik Gilbert (No. 9) and Darnell Washington (No. 32).
Though some of Rivals’ analysts favored Mayer over Gilbert and Washington, the consensus among them had him pegged at No. 3.
“Mayer will likely have a very good college career and beyond that become an NFL standout which is why I’ll be happy we have him so highly-ranked,” wrote Mike Farrell, Rivals’ national recruiting director. “But is he that freaky, elite athlete at the tight end position that warrants a fifth star? He falls just short.”
This week’s update saw a few notable developments regarding Notre Dame’s signees beyond just Mayer. Jordan Johnson maintained his five-star pedigree but lost his status as the highest-ranked wide receiver to sign with Notre Dame in the Rivals era (since 2002).
The 6-foot, 182-pound Johnson dropped three spots to No. 28 overall — one shy of the Irish-high held by Michael Floyd. He ranked as the No. 27 overall player in the 2008 class. Johnson also finished as the No. 5 wide receiver.
Offensive tackle Tosh Baker and running back Chris Tyree substantially descended after nearing five-star territory. Baker dropped 88 spots to No. 136 overall, placing him No. 13 at his position. Tyree ranks as the No. 4 all-purpose back and No. 78 overall player after descending 35 spots.
Baker and Tyree were knocked after missing valuable time. Baker suffered an MCL sprain in his knee during the first practice at the All-American Bowl earlier this month. He sat out for the rest of that week and for last week’s Polynesian Bowl.
A middle-grade high ankle sprain that continued to be reaggravated sidelined Tyree for four games in 2019. Senior seasons, recruiting camps and high school all-star games were among the biggest factors considered for these updated rankings.
When offensive tackle Michael Carmody committed to Notre Dame last June, the Mars (Pa.) Area product ranked as Rivals’ No. 36 offensive tackle. He now ranks No. 22 at the position, leaping into the Rivals250 to No. 230 overall.
Defensive end Jordan Botelho out of Honolulu Saint School jumped 23 spots to No. 175 overall. He’s pegged as its No. 11 inside linebacker. Lake Forest (Ill.) High product Rylie Mills now ranks as the No. 9 strongside defensive end and No. 154 overall player after ascending seven spots.
Quarterback Drew Pyne (No. 7 pro-style quarterback; No. 117 overall) out of New Canaan (Conn.) High and tight end Kevin Bauman (No. 5 tight end; No. 129 overall) out of Red Bank (N.J.) Catholic both elevated one spot overall.
247Sports will release its final updated recruiting rankings of the 2020 class next week. To see Rivals’ updated rankings, click here.
