Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/605097
UNDER THE DOME THEY SAID IT "Why would he ever choose to head up north to a school like Michigan is probably the first question I want to ask him." Sophomore quarterback DeShone Kizer on what he would have liked to ask New England Patriots and former Michigan quarterback Tom Brady; when Kizer committed to Notre Dame, Kelly was at the New England Patriots' team facilities and in a room with Brady with the speakerphone on "When we're recruiting quarterbacks, I'm the one making the final decision on them. I don't know if the NFL works the same way, where the coach gets the final decision on whether he drafts a quarterback or not. That's the one great thing about college: the head coach gets to make the final decisions, and he gets the guy that fits the system, has the character, knows he can go in there and handle all the pressure of the position." — Head coach Brian Kelly during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Radio Show "That was actually after an interview at the time, and we were just kind of chatting it up and the cam‑ eras happened to be on. So that was a completely real moment for me. And now it's to the point where I've accepted the fact that my life has changed from then. "I'm completely a different guy from who I was last year, and obviously my opportunities to play quarterback and be the No. 1 guy is a big part of that. I'm completely comfortable where I'm at, and I'm completely accepting of who I am as a quarterback and who I am as a representation of my college and my university. "So it's been a really fun ride, but we're just trying to focus up on preparing for these games coming up. Maybe we can have a little better conversation with this after the season when we can evaluate everything that's happened because it's happening so quickly; that if you want to get caught up in it, you're not going to be in the right mindset to win a game on Saturdays." — Kizer on his conversation shown on Showtime earlier this season in which he admitted previous doubts about remaining at Notre Dame or continuing with football "I just think he's a calming influence to those young players. He's a mentor in a sense that he can re‑ ally do a great job off the field with them, spends time with them and does a great job of being there for them when they need him ... he also leads our ministry program. He's there for the whole person. "Those young guys in their transition here lean on Autry quite a bit, and I think he's been a great addition to our staff, especially with those young backs." — Kelly on first-year running backs coach Autry Denson TWEET OF THE WEEK @CoachMikeElston: "Less than 80 days before signing day 2016! Another Irish win and another great weekend of visitors! #JOINTHEF16HT" Recruiting coordinator Mike Elston counting down to National Signing Day PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA