by Leprechaun Express & Steve Welsh
“… Inconsistent decision-maker. Showed dreadful lapses in judgement that lead to interceptions. Too willing to make off-balanced heaves. Benched against Stanford. Had at least one interception in 15 of his 23 starts. …”
“University of Notre Dame junior quarterback DeShone Kizer has decided to forego his final two years of eligibility to make himself available for the 2017 National Football League Draft. ‘DeShone is an extremely gifted quarterback that was faced with a difficult decision,’ Irish head coach Brian Kelly said. ‘He could return as a senior captain at Notre Dame — a place that he loves, and with a program that respects him immensely. Or, he could begin the next chapter in his life and accept the opportunity that likely awaits in the NFL. While he chose the latter, the type of leadership DeShone displayed this past season will benefit our program moving forward. He’ll certainly be missed on and off the field, but we’re very happy for him and his family. DeShone will always represent this University with the utmost professionalism and class.’ …”
“#NotreDame quarterback #DeShoneKizer declared for the #NFL draft Monday, giving up his senior season and opening up the Fighting Irish’s starting job next year for #BrandonWimbush. Kizer put together a solid junior season …. He threw for 2,925 yards and 26 touchdowns, and rushed for 472 yards and eight touchdowns. … Earlier this month, Malik Zaire … announced he was transferring … as a graduate student.”
#NOTREDAME #FOOTBALL: “…. ‘I talk mostly about Notre Dame, and where does he want to be as it relates to the Notre Dame quarterbacks?’ Kelly said. ‘Most quarterbacks are judged by not their numbers, but by their wins. And we’re all, right now, 3-6.’ ….”
… #DeShoneKizer remains one of college #football’s most highly regarded prospects in scouting circles. … an NFC executive views the redshirt sophomore as a top-10 draft choice. ‘Pocket passer with a very good arm, has the athletic ability to get out and make plays with his feet,” the executive [said] …’All the tools are there. He’s struggled a little bit over the last month but was excellent on film last year and the beginning of this year.’ Kizer will be eligible for the 2017 #NFL Draft if he applies for and is granted early eligibility after the season. As a redshirt sophomore, however, his draft year could also be 2018 or even 2019. …
…. Kizer, who has ascended to the top of most NFL draft analysts’ lists of the top draft-eligible quarterbacks next spring, went 23-for-35 and threw three touchdown passes in the win. His 465 passing yards was the third-highest single-game mark in program history —J oe Theismann holds the record of 524—and the 6-foot-5, 235-pound signal-caller rushed for another score too. … [Kizer] threw for 356 yards in the Irish offense’s 30-point outburst in the first half. But Irish coach Brian Kelly was more impressed with Kizer’s second-half performance …. ‘I thought what I liked about him in the second half is he dropped the ball down, took the easy completions, made the smart decisions and I think he needs to continue to do that. …’
“It should be little surprise that quarterback DeShone Kizer is the Notre Dame player whose name appears near the top of most NCAA offensive statistical leader lists. Kizer’s had a hand in 20 of ND’s 25 touchdowns this season and leads an offense that has averaged nearly 40 points and 495 yards of offense through five games this season.”
Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer reacts to the team’s 50-33 win over Syracuse on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.
“The 6-4, 230-pounder has all the physical tools NFL teams salivate over when it comes to quarterback prospects.”
Blue and Gold Illustrated reports on Notre Dame’s defensive improvement against Syracuse, following a change in defensive coordinators.
… though the 50-33 #NotreDame win over Syracuse … featured plenty of room for improvement on defense, it was a step in the right direction. Syracuse’s high-powered offense started fast …. But some halftime adjustments proved crucial, and the Irish limited the Orange to just six second-half points. … Kelly fired third-year defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder before preparation for Syracuse’s uptempo offense started. He was pleased with the team’s response. …
Meanwhile, Notre Dame quarterback Deshone Kizer had a strong first half, but Brian Kelly looked for improvement in some of Kizer’s situational decisionmaking.
Offensively, junior quarterback DeShone Kizer had another career day for the Irish. … 23 of 35 passes for a personal-best 471 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. … though Kizer put up huge numbers en route to a 33-27 halftime advantage — he had 170 yards and two touchdowns through the game’s opening period — Kelly said he liked his quarterback’s second-half performance even better. ‘He has a tendency to want to do too much,’ said Kelly. ‘He puts too much pressure on himself. He’s got to stop doing that. What I liked about him in the second half was he dropped the ball down, took the easy completions, made the smart decisions, He needs to continue to do that.’