Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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Who Will Be No. 2? While the transfer of Everett Golson vaulted junior Malik Zaire into the starter's role, it also will force redshirt freshman DeShone Kizer to accelerate his development. Kizer received limited repetitions during the spring while Golson and Zaire battled for the starting spot. Expected to be groomed for another season, Kizer is now one play away from being the leading man. A highly regarded prep prospect who is behind the curve a bit because he was not an early enrollee and received limited reps over the last year, Kizer possesses the tools the Irish need at the position. He has prototypical size at 6‑4½ and 230 pounds with a strong right arm. During his prep career at Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic, Kizer passed for 4,608 yards and 47 touchdowns with just eight interceptions. He added another 852 yards (8.4 yards per rush) and nine touchdowns on the ground, where he has experience running the read concepts Notre Dame will employ in 2015. As a freshman, Kizer earned a reputation as a tireless worker and a natural when it comes to picking up the playbook. In order to put himself in position to be productive enough to lead the offense, Kizer will have to dramatically improve his footwork and fundamentals. His inconsistent footwork throws off his release point and creates some accuracy issues. As his footwork improves, so will his accuracy and consistency. Kizer will have to earn the backup role. Incoming freshman Brandon Wimbush is a physically mature figure that has the intelligence and leadership capabilities to immediately push for the No. 2 spot. Wim‑ bush is a gifted passer with a tremendously strong right arm that he used to complete an astounding 72.3 percent of his passes, while racking up 3,187 yards and 37 touchdowns through the air. Wimbush threw just two interceptions as a senior at Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter's Prep. A dual‑threat quarterback, Wimbush amassed 723 yards rushing and nine touchdowns on the ground as a prep senior. Both Kizer and Wimbush led their high school programs to state championships. — Bryan Driskell Sophomore DeShone Kizer has suddenly been thrust into the backup role because of Golson's transfer. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA