Could Alize’ Mack Be The Redskins’ Tight End Of The Future?

Alize’ Mack, TE
School: Notre Dame | Conference: Independents
College Experience: RS Junior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6-5 / 247
Projected Draft Status: Round 3-4
NFL Comparison: Jordan Leggett

College Statistics

Player Overview

Previously named Alize’ Jones, Mack was rated the #63 player overall and #1 high school TE in the class of 2015. He legally changed his last name from ‘Jones’ to ‘Mack’ to honor his stepfather, who he said has been taking care of him his whole life.

Mack earned instant playing time for the Irish, as he played in all 13 games as a true freshman while starting five of them. Poised to become the next great Notre Dame tight end, then just before the start of the 2016 season, Mack was ruled academically ineligible, and missed the entire season. Upon his return, Mack played in a rotation behind starter Durham Smythe in 2017. In 2018, Mack recorded career highs in catches, yards, and touchdowns.

For more about his back-ground, read this: Mack talking about his suspension.

Recent Irish Tight Ends

For the past ten years, Notre Dame has been one of college football’s best Tight End factories, sending Durham Smythe (2017), Ben Koyack (2015), Troy Niklas (2014), Tyler Eifert (2013), Kyle Rudolph (2011), and John Carlson (2008) to the pros. While several have been starters, none of them have become superstars in the NFL. However, none of them had the athleticism of Mack.

Athletic Traits

From a pure athletic traits perspective, Mack might be right up there with OJ Howard, David Njoku, and Evan Engram.

At the high school Nike SPARQ combine, he posted the top 20-yard shuttle time (4.06), and SPARQ rating (99.69) among his position group along with solid 4.67 second 40-yard dash and vertical jump over 37 inches. Mack’s shuttle time was elite and would have topped OJ Howard, Evan Engram, and David Njoku’s scores from the NFL Combine.

The Film

In the Irish’ National Semi-final game, Mack was once again largely invisible, finishing with just a pair of catches, for 11 yards against Clemson.

See more of Mack HERE

The Draft Network’s summarizes:

“As a player, Mack can become an NFL starter at tight end. His feel for high pointing the football gives him redzone potential upon entering the league. With his ability up the seam, he is slight developments as a route runner away from being starter level as a receiving tight end. Will likely never be a dominant blocker, but can get by in both the run and pass game because of his natural strength.”

Strengths

• Elite traits for the position
• Size, length, and speed are all up to NFL standards
• Mismatch potential as a down the seam threat
• Experience lined up inline, as an H-back, or in the slot
• Growth potential to be considered a “high ceiling” prospect

Weaknesses

• Issues with drops
• Inconsistent focus, effort, and work ethic
• Needs to become a better blocker
• Too often, goes down on first contact

What Others Are Saying

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly had this to say:

”I think maybe Alizé came in here with the sense of ‘I’m one and done,’ almost like in basketball,” Kelly said. “Certainly Notre Dame is not that. You can’t function here unless you really get your feet on the ground and commit to what Notre Dame is all about.”

Football analytics guru, Kent Lee Platte of Relative Athletic Score (RAS) fame, takes a look at the 2019 TE class.

His production prior to this year doesn’t look flashy, but Mack has a lot of tools that teams are going to like once they start projecting for the NFL. You’re looking more at a mid-to-late round guy at the moment, but he’s one that I think you’ll see mocked a lot higher once he puts up his athletic testing. He’s not someone who will save your team off the bat, but he’s an intriguing developmental guy nonetheless.

How Would He Fit On The Redskins

Tight End seems to have become on polarizing topic for Redskins fans. I think most see it as a need, but how high? Should the Redskins simply be looking for competition for Jeremy Sprinkle next season? Should they be looking for someone who could one day replace Jordan Reed? What if I told you, they could have both?

A five-star recruit out of high school, Mack never quite lived up to his recruiting rankings. While discipline has certainly been an issue for Mack during his time at Notre Dame, character concerns shouldn’t be a question mark for NFL scouts. Mack’s issues at Notre Dame primarily revolved around academics and inconsistent on-field performance.

Pinpointing his draft value is tricky. Mack has the athletic talent to be a top-50 selection, but his film too often resembled an undrafted free agent. My guess is he will be a fringe Top-100 selection. If he performs like he should, Mack could emerge from the NFL Combine as one of the better Tight Ends available for the 2019 NFL Draft.