5 reasons Malik Zaire can help Florida immediately

Oct 15, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (9) is pressured by Stanford Cardinal defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (66) in the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Stanford won 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 16, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Malik Zaire (8) looks to throw in the first quarter of the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. The Blue team defeated the Gold team 17-7. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

2. He protects the football

Question the amount of times he has played during his tenure in college football all you want, but it doesn’t change the fact that Malik Zaire has done an exceptional job of holding onto the football. With the stout defenses of the SEC, protecting the ball is going to be critical.

What’s more impressive is the fact is that he’s dual-threat as well. Running with the ball offers more risk for fumbling the ball and he hasn’t managed to lose a fumble yet on the field after taking off. That should give him plenty of confidence going forward.

How many times have we watched the Alabama Crimson Tide or any SEC team for that matter turn the tide of a game because they forced a turnover? Florida learned that lesson in a harsh way in the SEC Championship Game last season.

If they can hold onto the football with Zaire, the job of the defense gets a lot easier. Florida has some dynamic players on the defensive end that would love to force teams to have to drive the distance rather than starting with favorable field position.

It’s easy to go from hero to zero real quick in football. The fastest way to doing that is by turning the ball over and giving games away. Zaire hasn’t shown those destructive habits and that bodes well for his future.

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