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

[stlnd01]

So what happens if UF doesn't be get this rule change? He's probably missed out on a lot of other opportunities at this point.

 

[Blaise]

So what happens if UF doesn't be get this rule change? He's probably missed out on a lot of other opportunities at this point.

I think right now its Florida or Bust... If he doesn't get into Florida, he is prob headed to MSU or Texas and looking at a backup gig

 

[tko]

I think right now its Florida or Bust... If he doesn't get into Florida, he is prob headed to MSU or Texas and looking at a backup gig

sitting alone pouting

 

[stlnd01]

I think right now its Florida or Bust... If he doesn't get into Florida, he is prob headed to MSU or Texas and looking at a backup gig

Even at UF, after missing spring ball, starting doesn't seem like a slam dunk.
Maybe he should have just stayed at Notre Dame.

 

[IrishLax]

I'd love for someone to make a list of Power 5 schools where Zaire would 100% for sure start this year. I can't think of many. It's actually rather rare to have a roster where the starter has just graduated AND there is no one behind them that they have confidence in to play.

 

[GowerND11]

I'd love for someone to make a list of Power 5 schools where Zaire would 100% for sure start this year. I can't think of many.

I didn't look up the returning situation, but maybe BC, Wake, Indiana, Rutgers, or Iowa St?

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

I didn't look up the returning situation, but maybe BC, Wake, Indiana, Rutgers, or Iowa St?

This is sort of what I was thinking. Look small, try and get some good stats and try your hand at getting drafted.

I can't imagine him getting a starting gig at any of the 'higher end' P5 schools

 

[ulukinatme]

sitting alone pouting

Where did all this crap about Malik pouting come about? It's been going on ever since Texas. I've seen more people poke fingers at Zaire when Golson was the one that sat on the bench away from the team and then was secretive about his plans to leave. Did he not go in when his number was called last season? Is Zaire participating in Spring Ball at ND ala Golson? What is Malik guilty of aside from busting his butt and trying to regain his starting spot? Some people wish he would have rolled over and given Kizer his spot, are we not the Fighting Irish? He's graduating from ND, he's been very gracious with his exit, why do people have an axe to grind here? The reality is we were a 4-8 team last season despite Kizer being the starter, and people threw Zaire under the bus for games like Texas because he got what....3 series, one of which had a good drive before an OL penalty killed it.

2016 is over. I'm dropping negs going forward for hating on ND grads that don't deserve the BS.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Where did all this crap about Malik pouting come about? It's been going on ever since Texas. I've seen more people poke fingers at Zaire when Golson was the one that sat on the bench away from the team and then was secretive about his plans to leave. Did he not go in when his number was called last season? Is Zaire participating in Spring Ball at ND ala Golson? What is Malik guilty of aside from busting his butt and trying to regain his starting spot? Some people wish he would have rolled over and given Kizer his spot, are we not the Fighting Irish? He's graduating from ND, he's been very gracious with his exit, why do people have an axe to grind here? The reality is we were a 4-8 team last season despite Kizer being the starter, and people threw Zaire under the bus for games like Texas because he got what....3 series, one of which had a good drive before an OL penalty killed it.

2016 is over. I'm dropping negs going forward for hating on ND grads that don't deserve the BS.

I don't know about the other games, but I saw the Army game in SA and his body language was very telling. He stood off to the side for a huge portion of the game. I don't fault Malik for leaving and even being upset that he wasn't able to be quarterback for more than a couple of games, but what I saw at the Army game was him standing off to the side and looking like he was pouting.

Zaire's just incredibly unlucky. Stuck behind a guy that made it to the NCG in his redshirt freshman year, and wasn't given a shot until way too late in the season. Then he lights the world on fire in 2015 against Texas, was playing alright against UVA when his ankle shattered and was replaced by a future pro. He wasn't the same after the injury.

 

[ulukinatme]

Zaire's just incredibly unlucky. Stuck behind a guy that made it to the NCG in his redshirt freshman year, and wasn't given a shot until way too late in the season. Then he lights the world on fire in 2015 against Texas, was playing alright against UVA when his ankle shattered and was replaced by a future pro. He wasn't the same after the injury.

I agree that he may not have been the same after the injury, but neither was the offense. We had a strong running game in 2015, which meshed well with Zaire's skill set. In 2016 we did not have the same run game. We relied heavily on passing, and it probably had a lot to do with why we struggled in a lot of games. The whole mentality of the team was different in 2016. Hopefully things are turned around now.

 

[zelezo vlk]

I agree that he may not have been the same after the injury, but neither was the offense. We had a strong running game in 2015, which meshed well with Zaire's skill set. In 2016 we did not have the same run game. We relied heavily on passing, and it probably had a lot to do with why we struggled in a lot of games. The whole mentality of the team was different in 2016. Hopefully things are turned around now.

I hope so too.

 

[tko]

.

 

[stlnd01]

I don't know about the other games, but I saw the Army game in SA and his body language was very telling. He stood off to the side for a huge portion of the game. I don't fault Malik for leaving and even being upset that he wasn't able to be quarterback for more than a couple of games, but what I saw at the Army game was him standing off to the side and looking like he was pouting.

I saw the same at the Syracuse game. The guy was off alone like the whole time. Was like he was barely there.

I like Zaire a lot and I think he just had a run of rotten luck. He had every right to fight for his job back, of course, but it wasn't owed to him, and Kizer was clearly the better QB at the start of last season. No idea what was said to whom, and maybe Kelly could have handled it better. Zaire apparently thought so.

But either way, like ulukin said, last year is last year. Time to move on.

 

[Irishize]

I have nothing against Zaire & will root for him wherever he plays provided he's not going vs ND. He shows strong character and really stepped up in the LSU game (NDs last bowl win). For me to split hairs over conjecture & his body language isn't enough for me to go on but I understand how it can be perceived. I don't think anyone doubts his competitiveness.

 

[EddytoNow]

Where did all this crap about Malik pouting come about? It's been going on ever since Texas. I've seen more people poke fingers at Zaire when Golson was the one that sat on the bench away from the team and then was secretive about his plans to leave. Did he not go in when his number was called last season? Is Zaire participating in Spring Ball at ND ala Golson? What is Malik guilty of aside from busting his butt and trying to regain his starting spot? Some people wish he would have rolled over and given Kizer his spot, are we not the Fighting Irish? He's graduating from ND, he's been very gracious with his exit, why do people have an axe to grind here? The reality is we were a 4-8 team last season despite Kizer being the starter, and people threw Zaire under the bus for games like Texas because he got what....3 series, one of which had a good drive before an OL penalty killed it.

2016 is over. I'm dropping negs going forward for hating on ND grads that don't deserve the BS.

I agree. Malik does not deserve the negativity surrounding his departure. He worked hard to be the starter, waited his turn, and then had it taken away by injury. He certainly wasn't blessed by good fortune. He gave Notre Dame four years. He wants to be a starting quarterback and it wasn't going to happen with Kelly. Who can blame him for wanting to go elsewhere to fulfill his dream of being the starting quarterback? I wish him well and thank him for four years of loyalty to Notre Dame University.

 

[BobbyMac]

On no you dih int! I'm not gonna quote you so edit that blasphemy at once!

 

[jspags10pg]

I wish him well and thank him for four years of loyalty to Notre Dame University.

At least you didn't say Norte Dame University...I guess.

 

[IrishLion]

So it's down to Texas, Florida, Wisconsin, or Harvard for Zaire.

He set a timetable, but I can't open the link or embed the Tweet at the moment because desktop Twitter is being dumb.

Of those, Texas and Wisconsin both have young QB's returning that started last year. Not sure why you'd interrupt their development for one year of Zaire.

Florida probably won't be an option unless they push an SEC rule change/exception.

Harvard would be good to get that grad school work.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Dude. Get some crimson

 

[IrishLion]

https://texas.rivals.com/news/forme...ire-sets-timetable-for-grad-transfer-decision

Going to decide in the next two weeks, and then announce after graduation from ND, which is somewhere between May 19th-21st.

 

[IrishLion]

It appears that Florida has been the favorite all along, and here's official word on the holdup:

It is important to note the SEC could change a rule late next month that is currently prohibiting Zaire from attending Florida. An SEC rule instituted in Jan. 2016 prevents UF from taking Zaire because former grad transfer Mason Halter and Antony Harrell failed to meet academic requirements in 2015. However, that rule could be changed during spring meetings in late May.

 

[koonja]

Waiting on the SEC to allow him join Florida is what most people think.

I sign off on this thought.

He wants to be at Florida. What's the opposite of 'no info'?

If Florida doesn't pan out, what's the backup plan since Texas and WI have QBs already? Harvard would be awesome but I assume that's in there just for fun.

 

[Blaise]

He wants to be at Florida. What's the opposite of 'no info'?

If Florida doesn't pan out, what's the backup plan since Texas and WI have QBs already? Harvard would be awesome but I assume that's in there just for fun.

I feel like that's his way of saying "Oh I care about academics"... Its the same with 5 star studs who final four is Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Notre Dame.. They don't really want ND but want to look like they are serious about the school

 

[IrishLion]

He wants to be at Florida. What's the opposite of 'no info'?

If Florida doesn't pan out, what's the backup plan since Texas and WI have QBs already? Harvard would be awesome but I assume that's in there just for fun.

I think Texas and Wisconsin ARE the backup plans, which is super dumb. He'd be better off going to a group-of-5 school that gets some exposure.

 

[BobbyMac]

Why on earth would he even consider Texas?

They have a sophomore QB who rushed for under 200 yards and a head coach who made a name for himself on the arm AND legs of Greg Ward Jr. The same coach who's first offer in '13 as the OC/QB coach of tOSU was to.... Malik Zaire. It couldn't be because of their OC/QB coach Tim Beck, the Ohio native who's first offer while the OC/QB coach at Nebraska was to... Malik Zaire.

I mean, why would they reach out to him?

 

[stlnd01]

I feel like that's his way of saying "Oh I care about academics"... Its the same with 5 star studs who final four is Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Notre Dame.. They don't really want ND but want to look like they are serious about the school

Or Harvard's his best shot at starting, which is his best shot of getting to the NFL.

I read a couple of places that one of the sophomore QBs at Florida established himself in spring ball. Again, why would a big-time program derail a promising young guy for one season of Zaire? And if he wanted to be the reliable veteran backup at that sort of place, he could have just stayed at Notre Dame.

I live a few miles from Harvard. If Malik wound up Crimson I'd totally go watch him chew up the Princeton defense.

 

[NorthDakota]

He should go to Harvard. Tear up the nerds.

 

[woolybug25]

Or Harvard's his best shot at starting, which is his best shot of getting to the NFL.

I read a couple of places that one of the sophomore QBs at Florida established himself in spring ball. Again, why would a big-time program derail a promising young guy for one season of Zaire? And if he wanted to be the reliable veteran backup at that sort of place, he could have just stayed at Notre Dame.

I live a few miles from Harvard. If Malik wound up Crimson I'd totally go watch him chew up the Princeton defense.

He should be doing this. All his other choices have other QB's that have been in the system to compete against. None of them are a sure fire starting gig. Harvard is exactly that. Fitzpatrick showed that you can get drafted from there and he will be getting a world class education.

He'll probably end up going to UF and sizzling out a college career though. It's what these kids do nowadays.

 

[IrishLion]

Why on earth would he even consider Texas?

They have a sophomore QB who rushed for under 200 yards and a head coach who made a name for himself on the arm AND legs of Greg Ward Jr. The same coach who's first offer in '13 as the OC/QB coach of tOSU was to.... Malik Zaire. It couldn't be because of their OC/QB coach Tim Beck, the Ohio native who's first offer while the OC/QB coach at Nebraska was to... Malik Zaire.

I mean, why would they reach out to him?

I know you have personal interest, but do you really think they'd risk Buechele's future for one year of Zaire?

New coach, new system, familiarity with Malik.... but Buechel is the incumbent, and good enough as a passer that it's no guarantee Zaire beats him out.

 

[BobbyMac]

I know you have personal interest, but do you really think they'd risk Buechele's future for one year of Zaire?

New coach, new system, familiarity with Malik.... but Buechel is the incumbent, and good enough as a passer that it's no guarantee Zaire beats him out.

I'm not going to speculate what makes sense or what Herman & Beck are thinking. I just pointed out some facts to those who might not know the history of Malik, Herman and Beck. There's a reason why his name is linked to Texas. I really don't care where he goes.