A former NFL quarterback didn’t mince words when asked about Coach Brian Kelly’s decision to play both DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire at quarterback for Notre Dame.
Tight end Henry Mondeaux (19) and quarterback Will Grier (13) listen as coach Jordan Palmer during the Nike 7on7 elimination play at Nike World Headquarters. Credit: Steve Dykes / USA TODAY Sports
“I hate it,” Jordan Palmer told FOX Sports’ Stewart Mandel and Bruce Feldman on Monday (listen here). “As a quarterback, you’ve got to get into a rhythm. You’ve got to know that hey, we went three-and-out on this last drive but I’ve got a lot more drives today. It puts quarterbacks in a situation where they try and force it. If you’ve got the curl and you’ve got the flat and you’re not sure you have the next series or not, you’re always going to throw the curl. And sometimes it’s going to be forced in there.”
Palmer, who was introduced by Feldman as the “less famous brother of Carson Palmer,” knows Zaire, Kizer and sophomore quarterback Brandon Wimbush well. The former UTEP star either worked with the trio at quarterback camps such as Elite 11 or studied their game film.
Palmer suggested that “politics” had crept into Kelly’s decision making, suggesting that picking Kizer over Zaire would have put an arrow in other schools’ quiver when recruiting.
“It makes it really tough when you have Malik battling back from an injury, it’s hard to just go with someone else,” he said. “Because, from a recruiting standpoint, that allows a lot of other schools to sit there and go, ‘Hey man. They replace guys. If you get hurt, you’re out.’”
While Palmer implied that he preferred Kizer over Zaire, he added a tidbit that should make Irish fans smile.
“I’ve heard some murmurs that the most talented quarterback on the roster is Brandon Wimbush,” he said.
Here are Palmer’s full comments regarding the Notre Dame quarterback race:
FELDMAN: You know both Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer really well. You know Brandon Wimbush really well as well. What did you make of the quarterback news there when they said both guys would play?
PALMER: “You know, I think it’s interesting because with what’s happening right now with these quarterbacks, there is an element of politics involved. And if I’m Brian Kelly, and Malik Zaire gets hurt, DeShone Kizer comes in and takes the job. I don’t want a player at a key position like quarterback to lose his job due to injury. So it makes it really tough when you have Malik battling back from an injury, it’s hard to just go with someone else. Because, from a recruiting standpoint, that allows a lot of other schools to sit there and go, ‘Hey man. They replace guys. If you get hurt, you’re out.’
“From my understanding, it was pretty close. But it’s hard to compare those two guys. I mean, DeShone is 6-foot-5, 245 (pounds) and can run. I think with DeShone he offers a better opportunity to open the offense. I think he’s further along in terms of understanding the intricacies of the playbook. And with Malik, you get a lot of improvisation and his ability to extend the play. But two great kids. Two really talented guys, just really different styles.
“Lastly, I’ve heard some murmurs that the most talented quarterback on the roster is Brandon Wimbush. So that’s going to be something really interesting to watch down the road when they get past the season.”
FELDMAN: How feasible is it for two guys to rotate in and out for a long period of time and have success with that?
PALMER: “I think it’s tough. I hate it. As a quarterback, you’ve got to get into a rhythm. You’ve got to know that hey, we went three-and-out on this last drive but I’ve got a lot more drives today. It puts quarterbacks in a situation where they try and force it. If you’ve got the curl and you’ve got the flat and you’re not sure you have the next series or not, you’re always going to throw the curl. And sometimes it’s going to be forced in there.
“I don’t like it. I also think the other 10 guys in the huddle need to see the same guy every single time. Every play matters in college football. You only get so many snaps and so any of these little things like who’s calling the play and who’s in right now – that changes the energy level in the huddle. That changes the different people’s opinions. I think it’s a really tough situation. So my hope is that one of those guys separates themselves week one and they can hurry up and pick a starter.”
Notre Dame graduate, class of '02 (the Davie years!). A former newspaper and TV reporter, andrewwinn is now professionally involved in something far less fun to discuss than college football. A dad, a husband and a wannabe data nerd.
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Back in the 60s (yes I am that old) the Green Bay Packers had former ND Heisman Trophy winner QB Paul Hornung at halfback and one of their big plays was the halfback option pass.
Kizer @ QB, Zaire @ halfback/running back and install some option pass plays to all of those talented wide receivers and tight ends.
Reasons for Kizer to start @ QB – Size @ 6′ 4.5″, 235 lbs. Big arm, has already shown he can produce under pressure, has already started 10 games.
And, given the kudos already bestowed on the two big uglies on the left side of the OL, wouldn’t it make sense to have THEM protecting his blind side when he drops back to pass?
ND should be fine…both of these guys have been in the system for awhile and the players know how to work with them.
Each runs virtually all of the same plays as the other. I don’t think there are “politics” driving this decision because ND is somehow afraid of what other recruiters will say about them.
ND has three great QB’s—and all of them can run the offense and all of the offensiv palyers can execute with them—no small accomplishment.
Both QB’s have looked sharp in practice after the announcement that both will play—and it will cause extra stress on Texas to prep and handle both guys.
Texas likes to pressure and blitz—ND will have some good counters and quick tosses and draw plays to deal with that and could have some big plays as a result.
Whoever emerges—it will be based on real live game results—so no one will feel like he got slighted in the selection process—and could get back as a starter at any time as well if the the initial starter bogs down.