Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BY TOM LOY F or a while, Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic quarterback DeShone Kizer wasn't sure if he was going to get an offer from Notre Dame. He constantly put them in his top five, but the Irish weren't a realistic option without an offer on the table. Notre Dame offered Kizer June 5 and his recruitment came to an end shortly after that. He took an unofficial visit to South Bend a few days later and then pledged to the Irish June 11. "There's no better place for me to be than Notre Dame," the 6-5, 212-pounder said. "It's the best com- bination of athletics and academics in the country and it's just a great place for me to get better on the football field and continue my education. "I've talked to the coaches up there and I know that we are close to some- thing special. I know that the 2013 class had a bunch of good players and then I know that we've got some great guys in the 2014 class. I came here to win a national championship and I think we have all the pieces to make that happen soon." Kizer has earned the respect of Greg Dempsey, his head coach at Central Catholic. However, he didn't earn it solely with his play on the field, but with his actions off the field, as well. "I think he's the total package," Dempsey said. "Athletically he has special talents, as a person he is out- standing and as a student he is excep- tional. He really is a terrific kid and football player. "When the lights go on, there's re- ally nobody else I'd rather have at quarterback. He's wants the ball in his hands, he trusts himself and he knows that he can make the right call and the right play and the right read. He just gets it and he's very, very competitive. He wants to win more than anyone you'll ever meet. I'm thinking there's something even more special in him and I think it'll come out at the next level." Kizer had a chance to put his tal- ents on display during the summer heading into his senior season. Due to his impressive showing during the Columbus Nike Camp, he was invited to spend a week in Beaverton, Ore., DeShone Kizer Is After A Championship In South Bend Kizer, a three-year starter, guided Toledo (Ohio) Catholic Central to the Division II state title in 2012 and a 34-6 overall record from 2011-13. PHOTO BY SCOTT W. GRAU