Mike Mayock is the NFL Network’s draft guru. (Twitter)
Christmas comes in Spring for Mike Mayock.
The 56-year-old spends his entire offseason studying and analyzing college football talent in preparation for the NFL Draft, which he’ll be a key player for on NFL Network’s coverage.
The former college athlete has extensive experience covering the game with all of the major networks.
Here’s what you need to know about Mayock:
1. Mayock Is a Draft Analyst for the NFL Network
Mayock joined the NFL Network in 2005 and quickly became known as the station’s draft guru.
He also served as the color analyst for the network’s Thursday night game coverage with Brad Nessler.
Most of Mayock’s work now is in the studio analyzing players and giving us his mock drafts. He’ll be all over your TV screen during the NFL Draft.
2. He Also Does Color Commentary for NBC’s Notre Dame Games
Mayock replaced Pat Haden as the color commentator for NBC’s telecasts of Notre Dame football in 2010.
He teams with play-by-play announcer Tom Hammond. The pair also called an NFL playoff game in 2011, Mayock’s first professional postseason announcing experience.
Mayock has also worked for FOX Sports, CBS and ESPN in various capacities, but mostly football coverage.
3. Mayock Was a Safety for Boston College
Mayock was a decorated football player at Boston College, earning third-team All-America honors after his senior season in 1980.
He had 12 career interceptions and was the captain his senior year.
Mayock also played baseball at BC, also serving as the captain.
He was voted into the Boston College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.
4. He Was Drafted by the Steelers & Played for the Giants
Mayock was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 10th round (265th overall) of the 1981 NFL Draft, which produced Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor and Ronnie Lott, but didn’t last long with the team.
He was cut by the Steelers before the season and then signed with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts, but played in just 1 game before being released.
Mayock then latched on with the New York Giants for the 1982 and 1983 seasons before his playing career came to an end.
5. Mayock Is a Philadelphia Native
Mayock was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and attended The Haverford School, where he was a standout football player.
He has two children, a son Mike, 24, who played defensive back at Villanova, and a daughter Leigh.
Mayocks’s father, Michael, also played football for Villanova from 1951-54 and was the team captain his final season.