Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1007651
40 AUGUST 2018 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED BY COREY BODDEN Even though Notre Dame did not extend an offer until early May, Royal Center (Ind.) Pioneer 2019 linebacker Jack Kiser believed for some time that South Bend was the best place to spend his next four years. The 6-2, 206-pounder had done his research, so once the Notre Dame staff made its interest official and answered his remaining questions he faced an easy decision. Kiser an- nounced his commitment to the Irish June 12, using colored smoke to dis- play his choice. "I felt Notre Dame was the total package," Kiser said. "When you look at it with the Mendoza School of Business, the tradition of the football program and the success that Coach Brian Kelly's had and where the pro- gram is at right now, it all made too much sense. "Not to mention, it's only an hour and 10 minutes down the road." Defensive coordinator Clark Lea offered Kiser May 7 after watching the in-state product during a work- out at Pioneer. Luckily for the Irish, Kiser had already made multiple trips to Notre Dame in the past, so his comfort level with the staff and program was already established for the most part. "It started off as more of a let's go to a Notre Dame game and see the whole place," Kiser said. "The rela- tionships developed, and it became a little more serious, so I went back. I went to the Junior Day and really sat down with Coach Lea and everyone. It was really good. "Then when they offered me, I guess you could say I had done all my research. I just had a couple more questions and once those were an- swered I was good to go." Though the Irish offered much later compared to other programs on his list, Kiser had no issue with the staff being thorough in its evaluation. "They wanted to make sure I was qualified for it, and I totally respect that," explained Kiser, who is rated as a three-star prospect by Rivals. "I feel if anybody wanted to do that I was going to be there working hard, and they could see what I have. If they like it then they do, and if they don't then they don't. "It didn't really affect me at all that they waited. They were crossing their T's and dotting their I's. I'm just happy that they came and watched me and offered." Lea was also a huge factor in Kis- er's decision. "I really respect his coaching style and demeanor," Kiser noted. "I think we connected personality wise and fit each other. I'm looking forward to being coached by him and to devel- oping that relationship. We're going to be spending a lot of time together, and it was definitely important to make sure. He's also the defensive coordinator, and it was important to find someone I could click with and that fit me." Coming from a town of less than 1,000 people, Kiser will have a chip on his shoulder for the duration of his football career. "Definitely being from a small school and small farm community you don't usually catch the atten- tion of the national eye," Kiser said. "People say, 'You need to move to a big city to get that attention.' "By experience this whole process and being able to commit to Notre Dame, it's opened a bunch of peoples' eyes about what a small town can be like. You don't have to move to the big city to do something special." Kiser mentioned the Buck line- backer position is where Notre Dame recruited him throughout the pro- cess. He selected the Irish over Pur- due and Iowa, and he also had offers from Michigan State, Duke, Indiana and Nebraska. According to MaxPreps, Kiser threw for 1,193 yards and 16 touch- downs and rushed for 1,964 yards and 38 scores on 204 carries while helping lead Pioneer to the Class A state title last season. On defense, Kiser racked up 100 total stops, 7.5 tackles for loss and eight interceptions. Kiser was selected to the USA To- day All-USA Indiana second team as a defensive back. He was also an As- sociated Press Class A first-team all- state selection at defensive back. During his sophomore campaign, Kiser threw for 1,362 yards and 25 scores while rushing for 1,678 yards and 35 touchdowns on 229 carries. He also recorded 99 total tackles, 4.5 stops for loss and five interceptions on defense. Pioneer fell in the state title game that season. ✦ FILM ANALYSIS Strengths Jack Kiser has an impressive feel for the game on both sides of the ball … Is a fluid and athletic player with quick feet, top-level body control and easy change of direction skills … Has a frame that should allow him to add at least 20 more pounds and gain even more explosiveness … Shows good run-pass recognition, flows to the ball well and is a good form tackler … Strong in coverage. Areas For Improvement Plays at a very low level of football, so there will be a bigger adjustment for him to make when tran- sitioning to Notre Dame … On the thin side at this point, so adding some mass and strength is a must … Plays all over the field on both sides of the ball, so becoming a more precise technician will need to happen in college. — Bryan Driskell COMMITMENT PROFILE JACK KISER Indiana Linebacker Finds 'Total Package' At Notre Dame Kiser starred on both sides of the ball while lead- ing Royal Center (Ind.) Pioneer to the Class A state title last season. He accounted for 3,157 yards of total offense and 54 touchdowns, and also racked up 100 tackles and eight interceptions. PHOTO COURTESY RIVALS.COM