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DeShone Kizer ready to replace Malik Zaire, lead Notre Dame to Playoff?

By Chris Schultz

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In the wake of Malik Zaire suffering a season-ending injury can Deshone Kizer lead the Notre Dame Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff?

Next man up. That’s the philosophy of the Notre Dame Football program and many others throughout the nation when it comes to an injured player. It refers to the mindset that you must be ready at any moment by training and/or practicing as if you were the starter at your position.

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Irish fans were left devastated upon hearing the news that starting quarterback Malik Zaire would be sidelined for the rest of the season with a broken ankle having just come off a record-setting performance against Texas where he was 19-of-22 passing.

Just last week, Brian Kelly delivered the news that starting running back Tarean Folston would be out for the year having suffered a torn ACL during the game against the Longhorns. Fortunately, Irish eyes were smiling with C.J. Prosise and freshman Josh Adams picking up where Folston left off. Although some of that credit deserves to go to the offensive line, it was that next man up mentality that proved to be an encouraging sign for the Irish at the running back position, but can the same be said for quarterback?

Enter redshirt freshman DeShone Kizer who was asked to take the reins of the offense and lead the team to victory over Virginia. He did just that. Upon entering the game, things looked a little shaky at first which you would come to expect from a young quarterback playing in his first game on the road in a close game.  You couldn’t help but be impressed by Kizer’s poise in the pocket and 8-of-12 passing, but it wasn’t until the end of the game where the youngster showed what he is capable of.

With only 12 seconds remaining and down by one, Kizer connected with stud receiver Will Fuller for a 39-yard bomb that put the Irish back on top for good. Notre Dame now goes to 2-0 with a lot of uncertainty going into their game this week against Georgia Tech.

What is certain is that Kizer is the new starting quarterback for the Fighting Irish, but what can we expect the rest of the way? Furthermore, who is Kizer outside of the kid that completed the comeback win against Virginia in his first ever appearance?

Kizer was a four-star prospect out of Toledo, Ohio where he played for Central Catholic High School. Highly recruited around the country, Kizer was a three-year starter with an overall record of 34-6. As a senior, he threw for close to 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. Not bad when you take into account he only had six interceptions. He has the ability to run the ball effectively as well, having ran for 539 yards and six touchdowns. However, that’s high school, so can Kizer get the job done as QB at Notre Dame?

The answer is yes.

Just like Prosise, Kizer will benefit from having a big and experienced offensive line. The Irish are also loaded with talent at the wide receiver position with guys like Fuller, Chris Brown, Corey Robinson, Amir Carlisle, and Tori Hunter Jr.

Kelly talked about the depth of this team at the beginning of this season and firmly believes this team can still compete for a national championship in January. Kizer will have a full week to prepare for the Yellow Jackets, but I anticipate his perspective won’t change. Like he said in response to the media about the final drive, “It was time to play football.”

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