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NFL Draft: 5 college football prospects to watch in Week 1

By Shawn Spencer

BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 09: Andraez Williams #29 of the LSU Tigers celebrates an interception with Ed Paris #21 during the first half of a game against the Chattanooga Mocs at Tiger Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LA - SEPTEMBER 09: Andraez Williams #29 of the LSU Tigers celebrates an interception with Ed Paris #21 during the first half of a game against the Chattanooga Mocs at Tiger Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Alize Mack 2019 NFL Draft
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 02: Alize Mack #86 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gets tackled short of the goal line in the fourth quarter of a game against the Temple Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on September 2, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish won 49-16. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Alize Mack (TE – Notre Dame) vs. Michigan

Rated by some recruiting services as the number one tight end in the nation back in 2015, Alize Mack (previously known as Alize Jones) has failed to live up to the hype. Multiple suspensions and injuries have kept him off the field for a significant amount of time, while his effort on the field is adequate at best.

The 6-foot-5, 247-pound receiving tight end enters his senior season looking to finally play up to his potential.

In his college career, Mack has 32 receptions for 356 yards and one touchdown. Numerous drops have played a role in his pedestrian numbers, but even more so is the fact that he was suspended for the entire 2016 season for academic reasons.

CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 07: Alize Mack #86 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish makes a catch against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the game at Kenan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – OCTOBER 07: Alize Mack #86 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish makes a catch against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the game at Kenan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

He was suspended to close out the 2017 season as well, missing both the regular season finale against Stanford and Citrus Bowl versus LSU.

It won’t be an easy start for Mack as the Fighting Irish open the season at home against Michigan. The Wolverines allowed just 150.1 yards passing per game last season, tops in the FBS. Michigan returns all four starters in the secondary this season and will keep a close eye on Mack.

The former four-star recruit is one of the most physically gifted tight ends in the 2019 NFL Draft class, however, time is running out to make a positive impact in South Bend.

A solid performance against rival Michigan would be a big step in the right direction.

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