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Brian Kelly says DeShone Kizer not ready for NFL

By Brad Berreman

Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) throws in the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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DeShone Kizer could be the first quarterback drafted later this month, but his college coach thinks he should have stayed in school.

It was a disappointing 2016 season for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish that ended with a 4-8 record, and it was not a great season for quarterback DeShone Kizer (2,925 passing yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions). But he still declared for the 2017 NFL Draft, and NFL Network’s Mike Mayock has Kizer as his top quarterback in this draft class.

Kizer, like any top-level draft prospect, has fans and detractors in virtually equal measure. Notre Dame head coach Bran Kelly was critical of Kizer’s play after a loss to Duke last season, but a benching never came with no great options to take his place.

During an appearance Monday on Sirius XM radio, Kelly was asked about Kizer’s pro prospects. He was fairly candid, to say the least.

"“Well, he still should be in college. The circumstances are such that you have to make business decisions and he felt like it was in his best interest,” Kelly said. “I’m going to support him and his decision. But the reality of it is he needs more football, he needs more time to grow in so many areas. Not just on the field, but off the field.”"

My first thought is Kelly is sowing some sour grapes here, coming off a bad season for all involved. He has to be on the hot seat entering next season, and having an experienced quarterback in place would help him win enough games to save his job. With whatever flaws he has, Kizer would at least fit that bill.

Related Story: 2017 NFL Draft: Is D'Onta Foreman now a first-round pick?

Kizer may have made what Kelly considers to be a “business decision”, and as a potential (likely?) first-round pick this year that played a role. Compare that to next year’s draft, with what is in line to be a loaded quarterback class, and Kizer could easily fall down draft boards through no fault of his own. Any player would have left school early in a similar circumstance, and Kelly’s opinion on the matter carries no weight.

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