'13 OH QB Malik Zaire (Notre Dame Early Enrollee)

dwshade · Nov 29, 2016

Calabrese's People said:
Stidham has the front seat for Florida. Wisconsin would be a good landing spot for Zaire though..

Stidham is likely headed to Auburn. He's there right now. Great fit for Malzahn's offense.

phork · Nov 30, 2016

Malik Zaire can't jump to most teams on Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2017 schedule

Zaire told ESPN he learned Wednesday he was given his release, but he said he cannot transfer to teams on Notre Dame's upcoming schedule, with the exception of North Carolina.

So MSU is out.

gkIrish · Nov 30, 2016

phork said:
Malik Zaire can't jump to most teams on Notre Dame Fighting Irish 2017 schedule

So MSU is out.

I know it would set a bad precedent but I could care less from a competitive standpoint if he goes to a team on our schedule. I don't think he has "it" anymore.

However he could definitely do some damage from a playbook/knowledge of our offense perspective if BK is still the coach.

zelezo vlk · Nov 30, 2016

With the exception of NC? Fedora to ND confirmed?

gkIrish · Nov 30, 2016

zelezo vlk said:
With the exception of NC? Fedora to ND confirmed?

I totally glossed over that. Seems strange...

zelezo vlk · Nov 30, 2016

gkIrish said:
I totally glossed over that. Seems strange...

I mean, it can't possibly mean that. But wouldn't Fedora have the closest offensive system to anybody that ND would be looking at?

tko · Nov 30, 2016

from one dbag to another, no thanks on Fedora.

Blaise · Nov 30, 2016

this is kind of a slap in the face to NC... Zaire, you can't go to any team on our schedule
"Ok"
You know what, F it, you can go to NC, they stink

BobbyMac · Nov 30, 2016

Blaise said:
this is kind of a slap in the face to NC... Zaire, you can't go to any team on our schedule
"Ok"
You know what, F it, you can go to NC, they stink

Stand up move by the staff and athletic department.

When Malik was asked what he wanted to study next year he replied, "Nothing."

UNC is the only school in the country that has a whole department dedicated to that subject.

tko · Nov 30, 2016

NDCrusader said:
Stand up move by the staff and athletic department.

When Malik was asked what he wanted to study next year he replied, "Nothing."

UNC is the only school in the country that has a whole department dedicated to that subject.

Reps!!!!!!!!

TDHeysus · Nov 30, 2016

gkIrish said:
I know it would set a bad precedent but I could care less from a competitive standpoint if he goes to a team on our schedule. I don't think he has "it" anymore.......

if that were to play out in that manner, the game in which he played against ND would be a game for the ages. He would torch ND on a 'Denard Robinson-scale', he would put up monumental numbers and play the greatest game of his life.

BobbyMac · Nov 30, 2016

Freebie from Mike Vorel @ SBT's NDInsider.com

QB Malik Zaire grateful for Notre Dame experience, eager to find new home | Notre Dame Insider Football | ndinsider.com

Malik Zaire wouldn’t change a thing.

That truth might be hard to digest when one considers the entirety of his Notre Dame experience. Zaire enrolled early in South Bend, just to spend the vast majority of his first two seasons gathering dust on the Irish sideline. He was awarded the starting quarterback job in 2015, only to fracture his right ankle in the second game and watch DeShone Kizer enjoy the spoils of a 10-win season. Zaire fought his way back from a devastating injury, just to watch Kizer overtake him for the starting role.

In four seasons, the 6-foot, 225-pound quarterback started a grand total of three games.

And yet, in the immediate wake of his final meeting with head coach Brian Kelly and his official release from Notre Dame, Zaire — who will seek a graduate transfer this winter — wasn’t bitter.

He was thankful.

“I think everything happens for a reason,” Zaire told The Tribune on Wednesday afternoon. “These lessons I’ve learned here weren’t just football. For me, taking everything I’ve learned here and mixing that with the type of person that I am, I really do believe that it’s made me the championship quarterback I know I can be for another program, as well as the man I’ve become after going through all that stuff.

“It was kind of hard,” he said with a knowing chuckle, “but I’m nothing but grateful. I wouldn’t change anything. I think the impression I left on Notre Dame is something I’m most proud of. I’m glad that things didn’t end on a sour note as far as my love for Notre Dame and the people at Notre Dame and the program. I’m glad things ended in a positive way.”

But why, then, did Zaire's relationship with Notre Dame have to end at all?

“On the football side of things, I wish I could’ve given Notre Dame more of what I feel like I offered," said Zaire. "Obviously things didn’t fall my way all the time. But I know deep down in my heart that I gave everything I had to the program and the Notre Dame community with being committed and wanting to be someone that left a legacy, just like everybody else that comes to Notre Dame.

“At this point, I have things that I want to do and accomplish myself. I don’t think coach Kelly sees it the same way in terms of (Notre Dame) being a part of that. Coach has a lot of decisions to make, so there’s never any animosity. He has a lot on his plate. I think the team’s going to be really successful.

“It’s good for everybody that I did everything I could to help this university and leave it in a better way than when I came in, and I feel like I’ve accomplished that. It’s time for me to go and do the things that I want to do on my end, football-wise. But there’s a lot of love for Notre Dame.”

He loves it, but now he'll leave it. Ultimately, Zaire didn't believe he'd be afforded the opportunity to lead the Irish offense in 2017. And while the decision to transfer wasn't easy, he's excited about what comes next.

“It wasn’t a struggle," Zaire said of the process of being granted his release from Notre Dame. "Everybody was pretty excited for me to see that opportunities are coming my way. It was pretty smooth.

“(Kelly) just told me that I did everything that they asked me (to) and the things I did for Notre Dame left an impact and thanks for being here,” Zaire said. “Just seeing that positive outcome, you just smile and learn and hope to better yourself in the future.”

But where will Zaire look to better himself in 2017? The senior, who will graduate with a film, television and theater degree in December, has one season of eligibility remaining and a growing list of suitors — most notably Florida, Wisconsin, Pittsburgh and Michigan State.

But while visits have yet to be scheduled, Zaire and his father, Imani Zaire, understand what qualities his next program must possess.

“I just want, of course, to do what I wanted to do at Notre Dame, and that’s win a national championship,” Zaire said. “For me, it’s finding the best fit where I can help bring the team something that I can add and help bring a national championship. I felt like I could do that at Notre Dame, and I still feel the same way.

“I feel like I’m the best quarterback in the country. This opportunity is good for me. I’ve got one shot to do it, and you only need one shot to do it. That’s what I’m looking for.”

Added Imani Zaire: “Football-wise, it’s evident. He now understands that he needs to be in a system that would allow him to showcase his talents. He can do more than just run the ball, and he’s ultimately looking for a program that can ready him for the next level. He wants to and he believes that he can play at the next level.

“He just needs to have the opportunity and some fine-tuning to get there. The coach has to believe in his ability and have the kind of offense that allows him to do that. That’s all he needs is the opportunity.”

Opportunities weren’t always readily available at Notre Dame — particularly in 2016, when Zaire completed just 11 of 23 passes with one touchdown, which came on the final play of his Irish career.

It wasn’t the ending Zaire hoped for or imagined, but the Kettering, Ohio, native grew nevertheless.

“Getting through that kind of thing is a day-by-day process,” Zaire explained. “There’s no one to really talk to about how to get through it, because it was kind of an awkward thing to talk about. There was a lot going on there.

“But my focus on continuing to get better as a player and continuing to find ways to be a better teammate and leader and finding out different things about the game from a different perspective has helped me tremendously. This perspective has helped me to handle stuff in the future that may go on.”

Now, the future is Zaire’s primary focus. He hopes to enroll at his next school for the spring semester.

He has one season to find a new home, win a championship and pave the way for a professional future.

“The boy can play,” Imani Zaire said. “You guys will see next year when he’s wherever he is and he plays. They’re going to say, ‘What happened?’ That’s an issue Kelly’s going to have to address.”

In 17 career games, Zaire passed for 816 yards and six touchdowns without an interception and ran for 324 yards and two more scores.

He’ll leave South Bend with a lot of lessons, and few regrets.

“I’ve spent my four years at Notre Dame to the fullest,” Zaire said. “I even came to school early to get a head start on things at the university. These four years I’ve been here, I’ve had an opportunity to experience so much more outside of football. The people that I’ve met and the things I’ve been a part of and the ways I’ve been able to help and give to the university has been nothing but a blessing."

STLDomer · Nov 30, 2016

Zaire and Florida could work really well.

bkess8 · Nov 30, 2016

STLDomer said:
Zaire and Florida could work really well.

Could you explain this because I just don't see it. The reason Florida lost games this season was because of their QB's passing skills which is not a strong suit in MZ's game.

BobbyMac · Nov 30, 2016

bkess8 said:
Could you explain this because I just don't see it. The reason Florida lost games this season was because of their QB's passing skills which is not a strong suit in MZ's game.

Is it a weak suit overall or just in comparison to his mythical running ability? Who are you judging him against... the two poor QB's at Florida or against the #1 NFL eligible QB according to half of the mock draft "experts"?

One thing I promise Malik can do that neither Del Rio nor Appleby can is turn nothing plays into positive yards. They both finished the year with negative rushing yardage.

STLDomer · Nov 30, 2016

bkess8 said:
Could you explain this because I just don't see it. The reason Florida lost games this season was because of their QB's passing skills which is not a strong suit in MZ's game.

I am envisioning a lot of power run with quick reads to either hand it off, keep, or get it out quickly. Lot of the same plays with different reads and formations. I believe that's what McElwain wants to do more. Zaire is a better QB than Del Rio or Appleby so I wouldn't judge florida's offense this year as what mcelwain really wants to do.

Code:

GBdomer · Nov 30, 2016

Good luck Malik, I will be pulling for you big time next year

NDinBoston · Nov 30, 2016

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">SOURCE: Malik Zaire's release from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> now has zero restrictions <a href="https://t.co/mS7IVsqbf5">https://t.co/mS7IVsqbf5</a> <a href="https://t.co/8sYj9vms5w">pic.twitter.com/8sYj9vms5w</a></p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/804145928433188866">December 1, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

bkess8 · Dec 1, 2016

NDCrusader said:
Is it a weak suit overall or just in comparison to his mythical running ability? Who are you judging him against... the two poor QB's at Florida or against the #1 NFL eligible QB according to half of the mock draft "experts"?

One thing I promise Malik can do that neither Del Rio nor Appleby can is turn nothing plays into positive yards. They both finished the year with negative rushing yardage.

Just in comparison to his running abilities. I still have a hard time believing that Florida keeps having a rough time attracting top talent at the QB position.

I do wish Malik the best and hope he excels with his next opportunity!

BobbyMac · Dec 1, 2016

I'm going MSU. Best fit for his TV/Broadcasting future.

But I've said it all along, Clemson is going to have a great big hole when / if Watson leaves.

dublinirish · Dec 5, 2016

Former Notre Dame QB Malik Zaire to take visit to North Carolina | Irishstew | ndinsider.com

dublinirish · Dec 6, 2016

visiting Wisconsin

Luckylucci · Dec 6, 2016

It may not ultimately have any impact whatsoever, but I do find it odd that we didn't put any restrictions on Zaire's transfer and BVG is now at UGA. So we could very well have two opponents next year, that have an intimate knowledge of what we want to do. Because even if the defense has changed, the offense more than likely won't have. Kind of a head scratcher to me.

zelezo vlk · Dec 6, 2016

Wisconsin is a trash state and a trash football team. You deserve better, Zaire.

Luckylucci · Dec 6, 2016

zelezo vlk said:
Wisconsin is a trash state and a trash football team. You deserve better, Zaire.

Couldn't disagree more. Madison Wisconsin is one of the best college towns I've ever been too. Great place and great people. This is a trash post

Irish YJ · Dec 6, 2016

I can't wait to see this board explode if he goes somewhere and balls out next year. Hoping he ends up in the ACC.

Ndaccountant · Dec 6, 2016

Irish YJ said:
I can't wait to see this board explode if he goes somewhere and balls out next year. Hoping he ends up in the ACC.

Just like Golson did, amirite?

I like Malik and wish him the best. I think he will be good, but will be a mix between UVA and Texas Malik....aka....inconsistent.

zelezo vlk · Dec 6, 2016

Luckylucci said:
Couldn't disagree more. Madison Wisconsin is one of the best college towns I've ever been too. Great place and great people. This is a trash post

Born and raised in Illinois, Wisconsin is full of trashy people who hate anybody from the state south to them just for existing. For this reason, I always give them shit, like reminding them of Russell Wilson's last play in college.

I do actually like some places in the state, and have several friends from there, but I always take my shots.

Luckylucci · Dec 6, 2016

Ndaccountant said:
Just like Golson did, amirite?

I like Malik and wish him the best. I think he will be good, but will be a mix between UVA and Texas Malik....aka....inconsistent.

Exactly, he's a talented player but never developed into a consistent passer. Get him in the right system, and I'd bet he does quite well. However, that doesn't mean that he should've been playing over Kizer. Him doing well next year and him not playing over Kizer are two different conversations.

Luckylucci · Dec 6, 2016

zelezo vlk said:
Born and raised in Illinois, Wisconsin is full of trashy people who hate anybody from the state south to them just for existing. For this reason, I always give them shit, like reminding them of Russell Wilson's last play in college.

I do actually like some places in the state, and have several friends from there, but I always take my shots.

Born and raised in Minnesota and didn't have that same experience, at all. A lot of HS friends went to college in Wisconsin, and made even better friends with the people they met there. My sister is a Badger and I had more fun visiting her in Madison than I did at school myself. In fact, my sisters husband is from Chicago, and he moved to Madison for work. With a host of his HS buddies. So I can say that I've had the complete opposite experience.

But I was just joking with my last comment in the previous post.

'13 OH QB Malik Zaire (Notre Dame Early Enrollee)

Banned

Raining On Your Parade

Greek God

Well-known member

Greek God

Well-known member

I am Legend

Well-known member

Staff & Stuff

I am Legend

FLOOR(RAND()*(N-D+1))+D;

Staff & Stuff

Schmitty

Us vs. Them

Staff & Stuff

Schmitty

People's Champion

Active member

Us vs. Them

Staff & Stuff

Everestt Gholstonson

Everestt Gholstonson

Administrator

Well-known member

Administrator

Southsida

Old Hoss

Well-known member

Administrator

Administrator