'14 OH QB DeShone Kizer (Notre Dame Signee)

[GoIrish41]

Next year will be a very different year. Zaire will be healthy, as will Tarean, and Smythe. Martin and Stanley will be gone. Brown will be gone, and possibly Fuller. It'll be a very different team, and there's no telling how Kizer will operate. He goes to Fuller a lot, for obvious reasons, but if the Fuller safety net isn't there maybe we have to focus on running the ball more which would play more favorably for Zaire. Too many variables, and we need to see how Kizer responds in November and bowl season.

I personally think Wimbush has more talent than Zaire or Kizer. That little taste we got in the UMASS game was jaw dropping amazing (granted it was UMASS). He was certainly better in HS than either of the other two. With a year in the system under his belt, Wimbush may push the two "starters" more than people think. If he really knows the playbook and shows out during spring ball, I hope he is given a shot. Remember when Tommy was the returning starter and Golson had a year under his belt in 2012? Golson was handed the keys. Now, I know that an 11-1 record makes this a bit of a different scenario, but I think Wimbush could end up being off the charts good if he is given a chance.

 

[ulukinatme]

Wimbush probably has more talent, but we'll have to see if he has a better handle on the system than either Zaire or Kizer. I don't think he starts next year, and I would wager they use his "redshirt" next year since we had to burn it this year. I'm looking forward to his career.

 

[BobbyMac]

I personally think Wimbush has more talent than Zaire or Kizer. That little taste we got in the UMASS game was jaw dropping amazing (granted it was UMASS). He was certainly better in HS than either of the other two. With a year in the system under his belt, Wimbush may push the two "starters" more than people think. If he really knows the playbook and shows out during spring ball, I hope he is given a shot. Remember when Tommy was the returning starter and Golson had a year under his belt in 2012? Golson was handed the keys. Now, I know that an 11-1 record makes this a bit of a different scenario, but I think Wimbush could end up being off the charts good if he is given a chance.

I'd side with this 10/10 times. I think it's plain to see he has the best athletic ability. How that translates into being the starting QB for a playoff contending program needs to be seen when that time comes.

On the flip side... I'd say Malik is the least athletic of the three when you look at combine type measurables. What makes him special are the UNmeasurables that are found in between his ears and his ribs.

 

[Ignats]

I personally think Wimbush has more talent than Zaire or Kizer. That little taste we got in the UMASS game was jaw dropping amazing (granted it was UMASS). He was certainly better in HS than either of the other two. With a year in the system under his belt, Wimbush may push the two "starters" more than people think. If he really knows the playbook and shows out during spring ball, I hope he is given a shot. Remember when Tommy was the returning starter and Golson had a year under his belt in 2012? Golson was handed the keys. Now, I know that an 11-1 record makes this a bit of a different scenario, but I think Wimbush could end up being off the charts good if he is given a chance.

Agreed with you GoIrish. I haven't seen a true freshman look so talented in a ND uniform. Truly bummed that we used up his redshirt this year putting him on the same eligibility track as Kizer unless somehow they can use it next year?

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

Here is a hypothetical.

Any Chance Zaire gets moved to RB? or a hybrid type of player?

Say We win out and have a decent showing/win in the postseason. Kizer gets the keys and Wimbush gets another year to learn.

I'm biased, Kizer fits the mold of the type of QB I prefer. Big, Tall, can run, but not his 'game'. But, I agree that Wimbush has all the skill to be a boss for us.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I'm really pleased with how Kizer is playing. Does he understand the offense as well as Golson last year? Probably not. But does he have more command of the team, of the huddle and make less mistakes? Without a doubt. whatever it is, this kid has it.

It will be very tough for Zaire to get his starting job back, barring a complete collapse down the stretch by Kizer.

 

[ulukinatme]

Here is a hypothetical.

Any Chance Zaire gets moved to RB? or a hybrid type of player?

Say We win out and have a decent showing/win in the postseason. Kizer gets the keys and Wimbush gets another year to learn.

I'm biased, Kizer fits the mold of the type of QB I prefer. Big, Tall, can run, but not his 'game'. But, I agree that Wimbush has all the skill to be a boss for us.

I'd say unlikely. He's pretty driven, he wants to be the best QB in the country. I think he's going to fight for that dream once he's healthy. Baring Kizer playing exceptionally and winning the national championship, there will likely be a QB competition in the Spring and Fall, then we'll see what happens. Still, Cardale Jones won one for tOSU and he's only starting again because Barrett screwed up.

 

[NDgradstudent]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0VwMUHQaahs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[ulukinatme]

KPENN beat ya to it

[EDIT] Looks like you changed it, nice find!

 

[koonja]

That's a hell of an interview. Man, I love him and Malik. Either will be easy to root for after Golson.

 

[koonja]

Bogs, don't listen to that interview if you're wearing mesh shorts or sweatpants.

 

[IrishLion]

Next year, run a shotgun split-slot formation all year with all 3 QB's in the backfield.

Alize in the slot, ESB and Robinson/Hunter on the outsides.

Run the triple-option, 3-man-weave, read-option-to-throw.

We'll call it the Hydra.

#HailHydra

 

[ulukinatme]

I like how Fuller saw how their safety was playing that Cover 2 and told him they were cheating toward the #2 receiver each time, but they saved that tidbit till they needed it. It was in their back pocket the entire time. Run play was called in, Kizer and Fuller said "Na, this is a good time to win the game."

 

[nsisk157]

But Zaire was undefeated last year

2-0 in '15!!

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

I'd side with this 10/10 times. I think it's plain to see he has the best athletic ability. How that translates into being the starting QB for a playoff contending program needs to be seen when that time comes.

On the flip side... I'd say Malik is the least athletic of the three when you look at combine type measurables. What makes him special are the UNmeasurables that are found in between his ears and his ribs.

Kizer is certainly athletic, but in all measurables excluding height Malik is certainly the most athletic. Malik has much better acceleration (their top speed is much closer) and a bigger arm (this is despite Kizer having an NFL caliber arm). Kizer is taller (which is a big advantage) and has a more catchable throw most of the time, outside that the physical attributes would have to favor Zaire.

The unmeasurables are much more debatable.

 

[Junkhead]

I pretty much felt like giving up on the season when Zaire went down. Kizer is 1000% better than I expected. Hell, 19-26 against Pitt, with 5 tds and no picks?? At this point, I expect one of our QBs to transfer.....

 

[Cackalacky]

I like how Fuller saw how their safety was playing that Cover 2 and told him they were cheating toward the #2 receiver each time, but they saved that tidbit till they needed it. It was in their back pocket the entire time. Run play was called in, Kizer and Fuller said "Na, this is a good time to win the game."

Just saw this post and agree. It's great that they both saw that. It seems that he is able to really judge what that defense is giving him. Excellent trait to have for such a young kid.

I pretty much felt like giving up on the season when Zaire went down. Kizer is 1000% better than I expected. Hell, 19-26 against Pitt, with 5 tds and no picks?? At this point, I expect one of our QBs to transfer.....

Yeah.... amazing job all year no doubt. Assuming Zaire makes it back and does not lose a step it could be a battle next year.

I think Winbush could benefit from a RS though so I hope he does not transfer.

 

[rtrn2glory]

I pretty much felt like giving up on the season when Zaire went down. Kizer is 1000% better than I expected. Hell, 19-26 against Pitt, with 5 tds and no picks?? At this point, I expect one of our QBs to transfer.....

He had two overthrows to will that would of been TDs as well

 

[Cackalacky]

He had two overthrows to will that would of been TDs as well

I recall two passes that nearly hit Will in the hands in full stride.... not ones I would call overthrown. I would love for our Red shirt Freshman QB to complete 100% of his passes every game but I will just have to accept that his QB rating was 240 for the game and 160 for the season.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Tough, I know!

 

[CanadalovesND]

I remember during the off-season, many thought Kizer would never play, believing Zaire would be replaced by Wimbush following Zaire's end of eligibility.

Interesting to see how far we've come, isnt it?

As for Kizer, he's been playing unbelievable. Every game he's done what he needs to to get us the win. Even his "worst" performance against Clemson, despite throwing 56% completion percentage, he threw over 300 yards, and 3 total touchdowns with one turnover (interception). And honestly, the greatest trait he has is he doesnt really make the same mistakes twice. And when he does make a mistake, like BK has said, Kizer learns from it so quickly. He's got great demeanour, knowledge, leadership...a trio of traits we haven't had at QB since Brady Quinn really.

 

[kmoose]

He had two overthrows to will that would of been TDs as well

One overthrow. The first one, the post-corner one, was Fuller's fault. He slowed down coming out of his cut, which caused the throw to go long.

 

[Kingbish01]

I'm so impressed with DK, very interested to see what happens when MZ is healthy. Good problems to have I guess, but gut tells me one will bolt.

 

[IrishLax]

I'm so impressed with DK, very interested to see what happens when MZ is healthy. Good problems to have I guess, but gut tells me one will bolt.

Here's the thing... Zaire has to sit a year if he were to transfer this upcoming season. If he stays and graduates, he can transfer without sitting. So there is actually no incentive for him to not stay and graduate even if he gets beat out... in both scenarios, he'd end up playing 1 year at another school.

 

[Kingbish01]

Here's the thing... Zaire has to sit a year if he were to transfer this upcoming season. If he stays and graduates, he can transfer without sitting. So there is actually no incentive for him to not stay and graduate even if he gets beat out... in both scenarios, he'd end up playing 1 year at another school.

That's true, but what do you think DK does if MZ beats him out. I mean MZ was lights out against TX, we don't even know what we have with him.

 

[kmoose]

Here's the thing... Zaire has to sit a year if he were to transfer this upcoming season. If he stays and graduates, he can transfer without sitting. So there is actually no incentive for him to not stay and graduate even if he gets beat out... in both scenarios, he'd end up playing 1 year at another school.

That's true, but what do you think DK does if MZ beats him out. I mean MZ was lights out against TX, we don't even know what we have with him.

If I'm not mistaken, the announcers told a story during the game about Kizer being at an ND camp and not throwing very well. After that, apparently the interest from ND cooled a bit. Kizer called up whomever was recruiting him, and basically begged the coach to let him throw for him again. He wanted to go to ND that bad. I would say, if Zaire beats him out, Kizer will probably take his turn on the bench and keep working his ass off to win the starting job back.

 

[aubeirish]

Great problem to have. I think you can find ways of playing both of these guys. I watched Ok State last night and they were playing both QBs last night. It really had TCU on their heels the whole game on defense.

 

[shalom]

Kizer is certainly athletic, but in all measurables excluding height Malik is certainly the most athletic. Malik has much better acceleration (their top speed is much closer) and a bigger arm (this is despite Kizer having an NFL caliber arm). Kizer is taller (which is a big advantage) and has a more catchable throw most of the time, outside that the physical attributes would have to favor Zaire.

The unmeasurables are much more debatable.

Malik is faster and a much better natural runner but the primarly advantages he had was his experience and his performance in practice. Zaire had demonstrated that he could deliver in the bowl game, while Kizer was from all account atrocious in the Spring game.

The interesting thing is that Kizer is now a much more experienced and proven starter than Malik is, so it's tough for Zaire since what was once a key advantage for him becomes a very strong one for Kizer.

The thing to consider is that Zaire is much closer to BK's prototypical QB than Kizer is. This team was built for Zaire and his threat as runner as well as passer, Kizer is just making do but honestly the entire playbook is far from open to him. Kizer's performance in that light is impressive and you have to note that Kizer while lacking the straight speed of Zaire is an extremely versatile athlete (he could be playing pro baseball right now and college basketball) almost a throwback when today kids pick a sport to specialize in before they even join AAU.

I love me some Malik though, every time he's been asked to step up he has gone above and beyond. Kizer's performances have been good to outstanding but Malik delivered basically a perfect game versus Texas. Remember that other teams really don't have a report on Kizer. For example Temple was totally unprepared for Kizer to run. Kizer is sort of winging it, and that impacts what the defense is ready for as well. Kizer's performance in the bowl game or Playoffs when teams have a month to prepare will impact to a large degree what BK decides to do. Whatever happens Kizer will definitely be playing at the next level though so he will be fine. Zaire is in a much more precarious position even as to what program he will suit up for this time next year.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

If I'm not mistaken, the announcers told a story during the game about Kizer being at an ND camp and not throwing very well. After that, apparently the interest from ND cooled a bit. Kizer called up whomever was recruiting him, and basically begged the coach to let him throw for him again. He wanted to go to ND that bad. I would say, if Zaire beats him out, Kizer will probably take his turn on the bench and keep working his ass off to win the starting job back.

The story is a little different than that. Originally, Kizer saw himself going somewhere else. And ND was looking for (or at) a different quarterback.

Kizer didn't throw that well at the ND camp, he felt. But ND didn't see it as all that bad.

Then Kizer called up Martin. Martin came out to Toledo to see him throw. Kizer was convinced it still wasn't very good. But Martin and Kizer struck up a relationship. I think Martin was back about three or four times total (somewhat wild ass guess) through DK's senior football season.

(Reading between the lines I think DK was originally intent to follow ET, (former) to OSU. But Hermann and Liar went three other directions. So Kizer was back to square one. ND was the school he really had near the top of his early list . . .

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Malik is faster and a much better natural runner but the primarly advantages he had was his experience and his performance in practice. Zaire had demonstrated that he could deliver in the bowl game, while Kizer was from all account atrocious in the Spring game.

The interesting thing is that Kizer is now a much more experienced and proven starter than Malik is, so it's tough for Zaire since what was once a key advantage for him becomes a very strong one for Kizer.

The thing to consider is that Zaire is much closer to BK's prototypical QB than Kizer is. This team was built for Zaire and his threat as runner as well as passer, Kizer is just making do but honestly the entire playbook is far from open to him. Kizer's performance in that light is impressive and you have to note that Kizer while lacking the straight speed of Zaire is an extremely versatile athlete (he could be playing pro baseball right now and college basketball) almost a throwback when today kids pick a sport to specialize in before they even join AAU.

I love me some Malik though, every time he's been asked to step up he has gone above and beyond. Kizer's performances have been good to outstanding but Malik delivered basically a perfect game versus Texas. Remember that other teams really don't have a report on Kizer. For example Temple was totally unprepared for Kizer to run. Kizer is sort of winging it, and that impacts what the defense is ready for as well. Kizer's performance in the bowl game or Playoffs when teams have a month to prepare will impact to a large degree what BK decides to do. Whatever happens Kizer will definitely be playing at the next level though so he will be fine. Zaire is in a much more precarious position even as to what program he will suit up for this time next year.

You want to bet on who is faster?

And I will tell you which one doesn't get gassed from one end of the field to the other.

Kizer is developing so fast that reports are not up to date at game time.

Kelly has liked his share of tall quarterbacks, don't miss that one.

I think that next year ND, Kelly, Sanford, and the gang are in a true position to enjoy the benefits of two quarterbacks, with non of the drawbacks.

I think it will work, they will make it work, and there is every benefit to having two guys like that for a opposing team to prepare! (Can you imagine having enough time to cover enough of both of them in a week of prep practice!)