'14 OH QB DeShone Kizer (Notre Dame Signee)

[Irish Storm]

Can Kizer run the read option?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Can Kizer run the read option?

Looked like it to me in high school. Of course every time he ran the ball it was 8 to 10 yards.

My best estimate in driving back and forth to Columbus, and standing vigil for that surgery, he probably got less than a dozen and a half hours of sleep, in the week leading up to the Spring Game, (Surgery was the Thursday before.)

Didn't anyone else see that the coaches pulled the plug on him because they knew he was out of it?

 

[eNDzone]

At 6'5 he looks a little thin to me at 205. Should he be in the weightroom or is he at his ideal weight?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

My hope is that Kelly and Sanford put the offense on our OL and RBs. If that's the case, there's no reason that Kizer couldn't step in with a simplified playbook and keep things moving. At 6'5'', 230 lbs +, as long as he can run the Zone Read, our offense won't grind to a halt.

At 6'5 he looks a little thin to me at 205. Should he be in the weightroom or is he at his ideal weight?

ND lists his weight as 230.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

He ain't 205, that I have heard reported. That made me chuckle!

 

[ThePiombino]

I was really disappointed with his inaccuracy in the spring game. Reminded me of Hendrix on how he buried a couple throws.

But the thing is, he's gotten virtually no reps to this point, and now that's going to change. He has the most NFL upside of any QB on the roster so I'm really interested to see how he develops.

Just curious- are you basing this entirely on measurables? Completely agree with the rest of your post btw.

 

[IrishLax]

Just curious- are you basing this entirely on measurables? Completely agree with the rest of your post btw.

Pretty much.

Let's cross off Russell Wilson because he's the definition of an exception and has a unique role in Seattle. The only elite QB in the NFL 6'1" and under is Drew Brees. At 6'2" and up is really where you have your NFL starters.

Malik Zaire is 6' without the kind of jaw-dropping athleticism that Mike Vick had. It's possible to succeed as a 6' tall player in the NFL, but you either need special arm talent + mental makeup or special athleticism... Zaire does not appear to have either. However, a 6' tall QB in college can absolutely dominate (see: Manziel, Troy Smith, etc. etc.) so it's not really that applicable to the discussion of who is best for the team.

Kizer has adequate size, arm strength, and athletic ability. He is built like a prototypical NFL QB. Can he hit the broad side of a barn? Read defenses? Throw with timing and good mechanics? I don't have the faintest idea. But Logan Thomas for Virginia Tech was an unproductive QB in college that went in the 4th round on account of measurables alone. Kizer clearly has NFL upside given his physical abilities. It'll be interesting to see how he develops.

But I have little faith that Zaire (or Golson while he was here) has true NFL upside because of their physical build/abilities.

 

[irishandy]

Kizer looks like a true red-shirt freshman. I think it was good for him to sit last year and have his head in the playbook as much as possible and also learn as much as he could from EG & MZ.

My dad and I had field passes the last game of the season last year and I like the height that Kizer has. He has potential to be a good passer, it is going to take time with him.

My hope for him is that if ND is up big in a game this year, Kelly gets him as many reps as possible so he can gain that game time experience.

 

[Irish Storm]

It bears asking. Any relation to the villain in The Usual Suspects?

 

[BobbyMac]

It bears asking. Any relation to the villain in The Usual Suspects?

I already have the T-Shirt in graphics. "Who is Kizer, DeSoze?" It won't go into print until the Air Zaire shirts are sold out however.

.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Sign me up for a couple Air Zaire shirts.

 

[BobbyMac]

Sign me up for a couple Air Zaire shirts.

If you buy 2 you get a JoJoBlack Attack shirt at half off.

.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Sign me up for a couple Air Zaire shirts.

If you buy 2 you get a JoJoBlack Attack shirt at half off.

.

I'll take one of each. No italics.

 

[BobbyMac]

....and that son is how I started Envious Sports Tee's... that later became Envy Athletics which I used to buy out Nike and Under Armor.

.

 

[ThePiombino]

Pretty much.

Let's cross off Russell Wilson because he's the definition of an exception and has a unique role in Seattle. The only elite QB in the NFL 6'1" and under is Drew Brees. At 6'2" and up is really where you have your NFL starters.

Malik Zaire is 6' without the kind of jaw-dropping athleticism that Mike Vick had. It's possible to succeed as a 6' tall player in the NFL, but you either need special arm talent + mental makeup or special athleticism... Zaire does not appear to have either. However, a 6' tall QB in college can absolutely dominate (see: Manziel, Troy Smith, etc. etc.) so it's not really that applicable to the discussion of who is best for the team.

Kizer has adequate size, arm strength, and athletic ability. He is built like a prototypical NFL QB. Can he hit the broad side of a barn? Read defenses? Throw with timing and good mechanics? I don't have the faintest idea. But Logan Thomas for Virginia Tech was an unproductive QB in college that went in the 4th round on account of measurables alone. Kizer clearly has NFL upside given his physical abilities. It'll be interesting to see how he develops.

But I have little faith that Zaire (or Golson while he was here) has true NFL upside because of their physical build/abilities.

Great response. Very valid points.

 

[ResLife Hero]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The role of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> backup QB DeShone Kizer changed in early May <a href="http://t.co/S7EbDlGzwE">http://t.co/S7EbDlGzwE</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/NotreDame247">@NotreDame247</a> <a href="http://t.co/IQHCyfz19S">pic.twitter.com/IQHCyfz19S</a></p>— Nick Ironside (@nironside247) <a href="https://twitter.com/nironside247/status/606463581597630464">June 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Bogtrotter07]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The role of <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> backup QB DeShone Kizer changed in early May <a href="http://t.co/S7EbDlGzwE">http://t.co/S7EbDlGzwE</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/NotreDame247">@NotreDame247</a> <a href="http://t.co/IQHCyfz19S">pic.twitter.com/IQHCyfz19S</a></p>— Nick Ironside (@nironside247) <a href="https://twitter.com/nironside247/status/606463581597630464">June 4, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Neat article. Thanks!

At the bottom there are senior highlights, (after he won the state as a junior.)

At the 1:45 mark there is a touchdown pass. Count the number of defenders around him. Count the number of players between DK and his target receiver. And then calculate how far that ball goes in the air.

No one needs to say anything more.

 

[arrowryan]

When Everett Golson bolted Notre Dame for Florida State it made freshman quarterback Brandon Wimbush a potential player this year. Brian Kelly wanted to red shirt the four-star athlete from New Jersey and a source told Irish Illustrated that remains the plan, despite the fact Wimbush has already translated some of his high school skills to South Bend.

The reason why Notre Dame can continue with the plan to red-shirt Wimbush hinges on DeShone Kizer, who behind-the-scenes did enough this off-season to win over the coaching staff. A source told Irish Illustrated that Kizer has “picked it up, big-time” in terms of learning the offense. If that carries into the fall, it would make Wimbush the clear No. 3, which means a red-shirt and an extension of his college career.

From Scout

 

[Irish YJ]

Good stuff.
Was hoping DK would find his groove.
Also would love to see Wimbush keep that red shirt on.
Anyone with insider knowledge care to expand on his progress

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Told you.

May not be Clark Kent post phone booth; but the kid is a competitor at everything he does, and works diligently to get to the level of his dreams.

PS : I am telling you, he is bigger, stronger, and faster than he looks.

 

[Blazers46]

Told you.

May not be Clark Kent post phone booth; but the kid is a competitor at everything he does, and works diligently to get to the level of his dreams.

PS : I am telling you, he is bigger, stronger, and faster than he looks.

Could be one of the most overlooked student athletes going into 2015. With the style of offense ND is projected to roll out with I could see the #2 getting some meaningful snaps. Hoping Malik can stay healthy but you have think he will banged up a little. Kizer being ready and Wimbush getting an extra year is huge in my opinion. Sets up the QB depth chart nicely for years to come.

 

[ThePiombino]

This may not be a popular opinion, but I'm hoping Kizer is a legit #2 so as to preserve Wimbush's RS. I just don't see Kizer ever being asked to win a game at ND, but I'm OK with that as long as he can provide solid relief from time to time just long enough to bridge the gap between Zaire and Wimbush (or Johnson?!).

 

[IrishLax]

That snippet from Scout is the biggest load of "coach speak" ever...

So, somehow, in the two months since Golson opted to transfer and Kizer has spent the majority of the time not on campus or around the coaches he has "picked it up big time."

Because it was reported in the (from his mouth, as well as other sources) that with everything going on in his life plus being a bit buried on the depth chart he wasn't exactly locked in, but that he was going to need to be after Golson left.

I don't doubt Kizer's ability, focus, intelligence, or anything like that. What I doubt is that anyone can possibly know in the first week of July how much he has "picked it up" and mastered the offense since May.

 

[BobbyMac]

Could be one of the most overlooked student athletes going into 2015. With the style of offense ND is projected to roll out with I could see the #2 getting some meaningful snaps. Hoping Malik can stay healthy but you have think he will have the Irish up 3+ TD's by half quite often. Kizer being ready will get some quality game snaps courtesy of MZ, (the same snaps Golson didn't consistently provide MZ)... and Wimbush getting an extra year is huge in my opinion. Sets up the QB depth chart nicely for years to come.

FIFY. :smilewink

.

 

[Rocket89]

That snippet from Scout is the biggest load of "coach speak" ever...

So, somehow, in the two months since Golson opted to transfer and Kizer has spent the majority of the time not on campus or around the coaches he has "picked it up big time."

Because it was reported in the (from his mouth, as well as other sources) that with everything going on in his life plus being a bit buried on the depth chart he wasn't exactly locked in, but that he was going to need to be after Golson left.

I don't doubt Kizer's ability, focus, intelligence, or anything like that. What I doubt is that anyone can possibly know in the first week of July how much he has "picked it up" and mastered the offense since May.

I agree. Little comments like this are pretty routine this time of year, particularly for a player like Kizer who is in the position he's in going into the summer.

In fact, I'd be surprised if we didn't hear something like this--it's in the nature of the media to say positive things that aren't too crazy like 'Kizer will hang on to the backup spot'--but as you've explained there's really been very little time for Kizer to prove anything so it's pretty meaningless.

I mean, of course the plan is to still redshirt Wimbush. It'd be pretty insane for the coaches to comment on the record that he's not going to redshirt right now. Although, I do think the comment from Scout is made mostly in reaction to many believing Wimbush will push very, very hard for the backup spot.

 

[TheChosen1]

That snippet from Scout is the biggest load of "coach speak" ever...

So, somehow, in the two months since Golson opted to transfer and Kizer has spent the majority of the time not on campus or around the coaches he has "picked it up big time."

Because it was reported in the (from his mouth, as well as other sources) that with everything going on in his life plus being a bit buried on the depth chart he wasn't exactly locked in, but that he was going to need to be after Golson left.

I don't doubt Kizer's ability, focus, intelligence, or anything like that. What I doubt is that anyone can possibly know in the first week of July how much he has "picked it up" and mastered the offense since May.

Couldn't agree more.

 

[Riddickulous]

Hoooooly moly.

I think he's gonna be wildly inconsistent but hot damn is this kid talented. What an arm.

 

[ACamp1900]

Has to get accurate on the outside balls, curls and such, he just can't seem to hit those... But it all rides with him now...

 

[Chasey]

Has to get accurate on the outside balls, curls and such, he just can't seem to hit those... But it all rides with him now...

Wow what a throw that kid is a baller. In shock right now

 

[ulukinatme]

Holy moley. Excellent job in the 2 minute drill at the end, Kizer. Next man in!