Several Greater Cincinnati products have been named preseason All-Americans for the upcoming major college football season by Athlon Sports.
The University of Cincinnati has two players on the four preseason teams. Defensive back Ahmad Gardner is first-team defense and defensive lineman Myjai Sanders is second-team defense. That adds to the voluminous list of honors that Bearcat duo and their teammates have been receiving this summer.
Covington Catholic graduate Michael Mayer is third-team offense at tight end for Notre Dame. Mayer had 42 catches for 450 yards last season for the Fighting Irish. He has been a regular topic among pundits who predict him to have a big impact for the Irish this fall as they try to qualify for the playoffs.
According to Notre Dame’s website on NBCSports.com, which broadcasts Notre Dame games, “Mayer will be on the field for Notre Dame in any down-and-distance at any point on the field. There are no limitations to his usage aside from not wearing him out.”
Mayer was also All-Academic in the Atlantic Coast Conference, which Notre Dame was a member of for the 2020 season due to the pandemic.
“My blocking needs to get better,” Mayer said in a recent interview with NBCSports.com. “That was some mistakes I made. Obviously, overall, play-wise and playbook-wise, coming in as a freshman, there are mental mistakes, but I would say I had a few missed catches. That was bad, too. I had some very bad missed catches, so I’ve been working on my hands a lot this offseason.”
The first-team pick at tight end is Charlie Kolar of Iowa State, with Jalen Wydermyer of Texas A&M as the second-team selection.
Notre Dame’s first game is at Florida State Sept. 5. The Irish host the UC Bearcats Oct. 2.
Ohio State offensive lineman Thayer Munford is first-team offense. Munford played three years of high school football at La Salle, helping the Lancers win two Division II state championships before transferring to Massillon Washington for his senior season. He was second-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore.
The Kentucky Wildcats had one selection. Offensive lineman Darrian Kinnard out of Cleveland St. Ignatius was first-team offense.
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