Alize

Mack

Mack (6’4/249) turned pro as a redshirt junior after starting for three years in South Bend, accumulating a career 68/716/4 (10.5 YPR) receiving line. Mack helped himself at the Combine with 61st-percentile SPARQ results, running 4.7-flat with a 36-inch vertical and 10-foot broad jump. A non-factor as a blocker who was knocked for his work ethic and maturity by scouts before the draft, Mack’s ceiling is an Eric Ebron-caliber tight end with some traits that lend to seam-stretching success.

Not the first time we’ve heard something like this. Mack was a legitimate five-star prospect at the tight end position for Notre Dame, and while there were flashes of that talent with the Fighting Irish, there were on and off-field issues for Mack in his time there. “His talent matches up favorably with many of the top tight ends,” writes McGinn. “His work ethic, maturity and grasp of the system do not, at least in South Bend.” As McGinn also notes, he tested well, but in this strong tight end class, that might not be enough for him to be more than a Day 3 pick. High risk, high reward.

Mack was one of the most highly-recruited tight ends of this decade, and while there were moments where he looked like a player who deserved that kind of hype, there were plenty of moments where it wasn’t so obvious. Miller calls him a “good pass-blocker who excels in line when asked to keep defensive ends away from the quarterback; has a wide base and good hand placement.” He also notes that he doesn’t offer much run after the catch ability, and he isn’t going to help much as a run blocker. “Notre Dame is renowned as a tight end factory, and Alize Mack will have a chance to continue that legacy, but his tape has given rise to concerns about toughness and drops,” Miller writes. “That will hurt his stock and is why we’re rating him as a late-Day 3 player.”

Saints looking to get themselves a new Jimmy Graham? A simplistic read, sure, but the 6-foot-4, 249-pounder would make for a fine weapon for Drew Brees’ twilight years should the team opt to go in that direction. While at the NFL Scouting Combine, Mack tested in the 61st percentile of NFL tight ends.

Mack (6'4/249) is a tight end who has always intrigued -- he was a stud recruit coming out of high school -- but largely failed to impress during his time with the Fighting Irish. His speed is adequate, if not spectacular, and he’s adept at extending for difficult catches when called upon. He remains something of a project, though. Not an adept blocker (though capable if he puts his head down) and raw on routes, with some questions about focus and attention to detail. Mack could push toward a Day 2 selection if a team falls in love with him, but he’s more likely to be ticketed for Day 3 when all is said and done.

Mack was one of the most heavily-recruited tight ends in his class -- and really, of this century -- and while there were flashes of brilliance, he never quite lived up to that hype. As Crabbs notes, there’s also some red tape here because of an academic suspension. This could be a player who is a better pro than college player because of his size (6'5/247) and speed, but as Crabbs mentions in his summary, he’s going to need to “crush” the combine to be taken seriously as an NFL prospect.

The cat was out of the bag when Mack (6'5/247) accepted an invitation to the Reese’s Senior Bowl in December, but there’s no harm in making your intentions public. The former five-star tight end had issues with injuries and also missed a season because of suspension, but the athletic talent is obvious, and he might be a player who is a better pro than collegiate player. How he tests at events like the Senior Bowl will go along way towards confirming Mack as a potential mid-round pick -- maybe even a Day 2 selection.

Mack (6'5/247) has dealt with injuries and off-field issues during his collegiate career -- he sat out the 2016 season due to academics -- but finally managed to put together a mostly complete season in 2018. The senior tight end wrapped the regular season having caught 34 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns. While Mack has plenty of athletic upside, The Draft Network’s Jon Ledyard refers to him as a "[r]aw player who clearly needs work on attention to detail” and additionally notes that he has shown issues with physicality at times, writing that he “doesn’t finish plays strong, especially with the ball in his hands.” Ledyard colleague Brad Kelly views Mack as having the talent of a top-100 pick, but admits that his draft process will be crucial to his making that cut.

Mack (6'5/247) has tantalized with his talent since enrolling at Notre Dame, but he’s never quite lived up to the hype. It’s just one game, but this was a friendly reminder that the tight end is still exceptionally talented. Mack is listed as a senior, but could get another year of eligibility since he didn’t play in his sophomore campaign. A big game against Syracuse on Saturday could help his draft stock immensely.

Mack (6'5/247) had not previously missed a game this season. Earlier in the practice week, Irish HC Brian Kelly said that the senior tight end was feeling better, but he’s apparently not made the enough progress to take the field on Saturday. Look for Cole Kmet and Nick Weishar to see additional work versus the Wildcats now that Mack’s been ruled out.