Malik Zaire Archives - Her Loyal Sons https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog A Notre Dame Football Blog Thu, 26 Sep 2019 22:28:35 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.3 https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/HLS-Avatar-Option-2-150x150.png Malik Zaire Archives - Her Loyal Sons https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog 32 32 Friday Roundup: The Fake Boy Band Edition https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2019/09/27/friday-roundup-the-fake-boy-band-edition/ Fri, 27 Sep 2019 11:00:56 +0000 https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=40867 If you’ve watched any amount of college football this season, you’ve seen them. AT&T’s “OK Boy Band” lip syncing a hook to a fake song that you probably don’t want to admit becoming an ear-worm. It turns out the fake band has a name, 300 Likes, which I discovered because their fake song, “Summertime Lover”...

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]]> If you’ve watched any amount of college football this season, you’ve seen them. AT&T’s “OK Boy Band” lip syncing a hook to a fake song that you probably don’t want to admit becoming an ear-worm.

It turns out the fake band has a name, 300 Likes, which I discovered because their fake song, “Summertime Lover” released as a full-blown song last Friday.

I’ve been wanting to write about the most hated/loved commercial of this football season for some time now. However, I don’t want to talk about the band, the song, or the fact that the dude squatting in the lower-right corner doesn’t even bother moving his mouth. No, this Roundup is dedicated to my hero, my spirit animal, the clueless dad:

Clueless dad is every dad ever.

Clueless dad makes this commercial for me. Every. Damn. Time.

My kids are still incredibly young, but my oldest has already put me in some clueless dad situations. For instance, he will excitedly detail some random show I’ve never heard of, and I will desperately stumble around the conversation trying to remain interested, but more importantly, not called out on my bullshit that I don’t have a damn clue what he’s talking about.

Every parent ends up running into this at some level, which makes clueless dad the damn best. He’s put down his hard-earned American currency so his daughter be front-row for one of her favorite bands. He’s even wearing a freaking button featuring one of the guys to support his kid’s interests. In short, he’s ready to do everything he can to make sure this night ends up a favorite memory for his daughter.

But as soon as the show starts, disaster strikes. The band isn’t dancing, the screams turned into shocked silence, and clueless dad sees his poor daughter’s face flash a look of pure horror. So clueless dad does what any dad tries to do when shit 100% out of our control goes awry: attempts to fix it.

The success rate for all dads attempting to pull of this maneuver is 0.00%, rounded up. Clueless dad is no different. If the guys aren’t dancing, clearly it’s the job of the audience to get down, and by God, he’s going to make sure this party gets going and save the day.

Narrator: He did not save the day.

Of course, he’s the only poor sap trying to salvage the disaster he’s walked into. Mere seconds after trying to get the dance party started, he’s greeted with the new horror that he’s made a fool of himself. The only saving grace is that his own kid is still too dumbstruck with disappointment to notice because, honestly, that’s the only opinion he cares about–to hell with everyone else.

The hard-earned American currency might as well have been lit on fire. The concert is an epic disaster. Regardless of what happens from here on out, the night is likely ruined for his kid, which is worse than the hit to the bank account.

But dammit, like fans of a certain football team that keeps breaking our hearts, we can’t help but to keep trying to salvage joy of a terrible situation. In a way, we’re all clueless dad.

You’re my hero, clueless dad. Never give up. Keep dancing.

The Roundup

Note: Some links require a subscription to the Athletic and are marked with ($). For 40% off your first year, please use our referral link.

Here’s an unexpected use of the new four-game redshirt rule. Houston’s star QB, D’Erik King, will sit out the rest of the season, along with senior WR, Keith Corbin. King’s father says it’s the first step of a transfer, but Houston’s official announcement has both King and Corbin stating they will remain in Houston.

NCAA says something dumb: part one million. Mark Emmert has called potential new image & likeness laws, aka allowing the Olympic model into college sports, an “existential threat”–which is a hell of a thing to say considering North Carolina literally tried to undermine the entire academic side of student-athlete and sexual abuse ran rampant at Penn State and Michigan State. But no, this is the bad thing. Got it.

Maybe don’t ask about internet rumors during a conference call. I mean sure, Gundy blew his stack a bit, but this was just a terrible idea.

Kinght’s Watch + Murder Smurfs. Coming in 2021 and 2023. Let’s. Get. Weird.

I think The Athletic owes us some #snacktalk royalties. This week, the CFB section of The Athletic was full of articles about the intersection of college football and food. My two favorites, a top 25 food ranking by Andy Staples ($) as well as a look on how the NCAA deregulation on food budget (hey they do so some good things on occasion!) has had a positive impact on programs and athletes ($).

Time for a daily dose of #sportsmath. The stop rate rankings ($) are back, which can be a fun read if you feel like you are feeling too confident about Notre Dame’s defense.

Look, Skycam wasn’t a failure. NBC wants to make sure you know that it’s sticking around and they will do better. Promise!

With Virginia coming into town, it’s a good time to remember Malik Zaire. After an injury that derailed his CFB career, Zaire is finding his stride over at CBS ($).

Opponent Watch

Remember the sad Virginia fan? Of course you do. Go catch up on what he’s up to.

How do you build a school like Virginia into a competitor? Well, hiring the right athletic director is a good start, especially one that knows her way around schools that know how to compete in football ($).

So Virginia has a bit of a streak going. Four weeks, four players named as ACC Players of the Week.

If you want a good primer on Virginia’s season so far, I would suggest this read. My two cents: sounds like a lot of ND teams that created constant heart attacks in every game, yet somehow put winning records together.

A Special Look at Michigan

It’s not just Notre Dame fans trying to dance on Skunkbear graves. The natives are starting to willingly dig them.

Any Michigan loss, brings out a good ‘ol Mike Valenti rant. His opening segment on Monday was art, calling them a regional program. He drove the dagger in even further on Wednesday wondering why in the world Michigan bothers to expect titles when they’ve never won them to begin with.

So who had “Urban Meyer has to address Michigan coaching rumors” on their bingo card? Yes, he actually had to say there is no way he’d come out of retirement to coach Michigan. How did this happen, oh just some beautiful degeneracy:

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]]> HLS Podcast: The “Catching Up” Episode https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2017/07/17/hls-podcast-catching-episode/ https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2017/07/17/hls-podcast-catching-episode/#comments Mon, 17 Jul 2017 10:00:58 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=37379 After having many an adventure in real estate, Shane and I finally get back in front of our microphones to talk college football. It’s been far too long since we last talked and there has been loads of college football news that’s happened since our last episode. It would be impossible to cover everything, so we focused...

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]]> Image Credit: @phillykellyAfter having many an adventure in real estate, Shane and I finally get back in front of our microphones to talk college football. It’s been far too long since we last talked and there has been loads of college football news that’s happened since our last episode. It would be impossible to cover everything, so we focused on some more recent items of note: Bob Elliott’s passing, Bob Stoops’ sudden retirement, and Malik Zaire’s transfer.

We also discuss a topic that I’ve been chomping at the bit to discuss for some time now: the massive layoffs by outlets like ESPN, Yahoo, Sports Illustrated, and Fox Sports. The coverage of college football will radically change this season and we take a deep dive into how we got to this point. There’s lot to unpack here–everything from ad revenue and even how blogs like ours fit into this equation and have change the dynamics of what audiences look for and wish to consume.

As always, we end end by catching up on the personal stories, this time with a focus on what kept us me away from the show for so long.

It’s great to get back into the saddle. It’s been far too long and I wasn’t able to let an empty office that echoes like mad stop me either. Here’s the audio cocoon/blanket fort that I recorded inside just to make sure my audio didn’t sound like I was broadcasting from a fishbowl:

At the new HLS HQ, I only use the finest materials to set up a recording studio.

Yes, I care that much about audio quality and your listening experience. I may also be slightly insane.

Enjoy!

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]]> https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2017/07/17/hls-podcast-catching-episode/feed/ 1 Debate THIS! Close the Graduate Transfer Loophole https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2017/01/24/debate-close-graduate-transfer-loophole/ Tue, 24 Jan 2017 10:00:41 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=36948 Welcome to Debate THIS! In this episode of the long-standing HLS series, we will take a look at the graduate transfer rule. Stay tuned to HLS for the other side of this argument.  I am going on record to say that I cannot stand the graduate transfer rule. Let me try to understand this and...

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]]> Welcome to Debate THIS! In this episode of the long-standing HLS series, we will take a look at the graduate transfer rule. Stay tuned to HLS for the other side of this argument. 

I am going on record to say that I cannot stand the graduate transfer rule.

Let me try to understand this and put myself in the shoes of a student-athlete. I graduated early (good job!), but I don’t play at School X. In that case, I’m going to go shopping for a new school. If School Y has a graduate program that School X does not have, then bingo! I can play right away.

That sure doesn’t sound like the college football that I grew up with.

In the last few seasons, several Notre Dame players have left ND via graduate transfer. The most recent of these include Malik Zaire, John Montelus, Devin Butler, and, of course, we all remember the highly publicized exit of Everett Golson.

(via ESPN)

(via ESPN)

I question this rule for several reasons. For starters, it creates a pseudo-free agency in college sports, putting college football one-step closer to being a minor-league circuit for the NFL.

Secondly, in my mind, it makes the whole concept of team-building and maybe even program-building laughable. We have been told for decades (and I believe it) that football is the ultimate team game. The idea that a class comes in together and works hard with the goal in mind of winning while forming long-term bonds with teammates is one of the allures of college football. The idea (though far-fetched at many schools) that student-athletes are part of the fabric of the student body is also an attraction that college athletics has. When rent-a-player types are added to the equation, you strip away concepts like team, bonds, and perhaps even loyalty.

Not to mention, aside from Russell Wilson, I cannot think of another graduate transfer who made a great impact at his next stop. Is there one? As the number of graduate transfers increases, perhaps their impact on their new team will as well.

Another area of concern, particularly from smaller schools, is that a school may educate and raise a student athlete, investing time and energy into a player, only to be left “high and dry” by bolting to another program. Vernon Adams from Eastern Washington comes to mind here.

Finally, nearly 66% of graduate transfers in College Football and Basketball never even earn a second degree! We can call it whatever we want, but these players are simply moving on to increase their opportunity to play. The best way to fix this problem is by simply making a graduate transfer sit out a year like a regular transfer. In year one, they can focus on studying and adjusting to their new school, which is the same rationale the NCAA uses for making a regular transfer sit. In year two, they can play and actually earn the graduate degree that was the “NCAA approved” reason for the transfer.

If you want to reward kids who graduate early, there are better ways to do it than NCAA “Free Agency”.

 

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]]> Morning Roundup: Sept. 9, 2016 https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2016/09/09/morning-roundup-sept-9-2016/ Fri, 09 Sep 2016 09:00:37 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=35687 Mike Tirico says he’s not a Michigan man. Bleacher Report has us reaching for the tissues with its remembrance of Greg Bryant. These stories and more from the last 24 hours of Notre Dame football below. FROM OUR SITE Defensive “change” must come, one way or another PODCAST CSN Chicago: Where does Notre Dame’s defense...

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]]> Mike Tirico says he’s not a Michigan man. Bleacher Report has us reaching for the tissues with its remembrance of Greg Bryant. These stories and more from the last 24 hours of Notre Dame football below.

FROM OUR SITE

PODCAST

NEXT GAME: vs. Nevada (3:30 ET Saturday, NBC)

2016 TEAM

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

RECRUITING

LAST GAME: Texas 50, Notre Dame 47

MISC.

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]]> Morning Roundup: Sept. 8, 2016 https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2016/09/08/morning-roundup-sept-8-2016/ Thu, 08 Sep 2016 09:00:07 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=35673 DeShone Kizer says he’s starting against Nevada and won’t rotate with Malik Zaire at quarterback. The BGI guys debate the effect of Torii Hunter’s absence. Brian VanGorder’s defense remains under the microscope. All these stories and more from the past 24 hours of Notre Dame football below. FROM OUR SITE This is not the end...

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]]> DeShone Kizer says he’s starting against Nevada and won’t rotate with Malik Zaire at quarterback. The BGI guys debate the effect of Torii Hunter’s absence. Brian VanGorder’s defense remains under the microscope. All these stories and more from the past 24 hours of Notre Dame football below.

FROM OUR SITE

PODCAST

NEXT GAME

2016 TEAM

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

SCHEDULE

RECRUITING

LAST GAME: Texas 50, Notre Dame 47

MISC.

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]]> Texas Loss Marks Beginning of Kelly’s End At ND https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2016/09/06/texas-is-end-of-brian-kelly/ Tue, 06 Sep 2016 21:59:51 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=35595 For every coach in the post-Lou Holtz era of Notre Dame football, the ending of a coach’s tenure came well before the final game. As a fan you can almost sense it, that point when you finally realize the program is not going to be truly great with that coach at the helm. For Bob...

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]]>
Credit: CSN Chicago

Credit: Soobum Im / USA TODAY Sports

For every coach in the post-Lou Holtz era of Notre Dame football, the ending of a coach’s tenure came well before the final game.

As a fan you can almost sense it, that point when you finally realize the program is not going to be truly great with that coach at the helm. For Bob Davie, it came in the 2001 Fiesta Bowl when the Irish got humiliated and manhandled by Oregon State 41-9. In the Tyrone Willingham era it was year two. With a road trip to Syracuse and a minor bowl bid on the line, the Irish were absolutely pasted by an average Syracuse team that would finish just 6-6 by a score of 38-12.

For Charlie Weis, it was the start of the 2007 season when the Irish were humiliated at home by a Georgia Tech team that finished 7-6 by the score of 33-3. Yes, those coaches all continued to coach after that. But they were, in essence, done.

I believe the end of the Brian Kelly era began Sunday night in Texas at the hands of the Longhorns. Before everyone in cyberland gets crazy, Kelly is an excellent football coach. He has won football games at every place he coached. He is by far the best football coach that Notre Dame has had since Holtz.

Unfortunately, the elusive national championship seems further away than ever. Another high profile game in front of a national audience and the Irish failed to deliver. When was the last time they did? The decision to rotate quarterbacks in a road game with a hostile environment will be questioned forever – especially given the disparity between DeShone Kizer’s performance and that of Malik Zaire. In a game that came down to one possession, the Irish managed to waste three by continuing to go back to a clearly ineffective Zaire.

Does anyone remember Bob Diaco? Some criticized his defenses as “vanilla”; others felt the pro-pedigree and exotic blitzes that Brian VanGorder would bring would be the key to the Irish getting to that “next level.” Right about now I’d like an extra scoop of vanilla please.

In the Bob Diaco era, the Irish had a total of two games where they gave up over 40 points. In just two years and one game, this is the sixth game under VanGorder where the Irish have given up over 40 points. If last night is any indication of what’s to come, we will likely see more of these games. Brian Kelly has been stubborn in his defense of VanGorder. Maybe stubbornness will be the most defining characteristic of his career at Notre Dame.

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]]> Morning Roundup: Sept. 6, 2016 https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2016/09/06/morning-roundup-sept-6-2016/ Tue, 06 Sep 2016 09:00:16 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=35619 Here are the headlines about Notre Dame football from the past 24 hours. FROM OUR SITE Communication: Despite the bright lights, little is clear from Kelly PODCASTS Irish Sports Daily: Power Hour loaded ND Insider: Notre Dame coach Mike Denbrock reviews Texas loss One Foot Down: Texas post game show LAST GAME: Texas 50, Notre...

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]]> Here are the headlines about Notre Dame football from the past 24 hours.

FROM OUR SITE

PODCASTS

LAST GAME: Texas 50, Notre Dame 47

NEXT GAME: vs. Nevada (3:30 ET Saturday, NBC)

2016 TEAM

OFFENSE

DEFENSE

SCHEDULE

RECRUITING

IRISH IN THE NFL

MISC.

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]]> Communication: Despite the Bright Lights, Little is Clear from Kelly https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2016/09/05/little-clear-irish-texas/ Mon, 05 Sep 2016 23:56:10 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=35584 You just knew that this second meeting between the University of Notre Dame and the University of Texas would be one for the ages. As Notre Dame fans, we expect such moments to go our way. As it is, at the end of two overtimes, the Irish fell just short and their season’s trajectory is...

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]]>
Credit: Robert Franklin / SB Tribune

Credit: Robert Franklin / SB Tribune

You just knew that this second meeting between the University of Notre Dame and the University of Texas would be one for the ages. As Notre Dame fans, we expect such moments to go our way. As it is, at the end of two overtimes, the Irish fell just short and their season’s trajectory is less than apparent. From the quarterback position, to the defense, to the meaning of “targeting,” nothing is clear about what comes next.

Head football coach Brian Kelly, now in his seventh season, stuck to his scripted indecision regarding the quarterback program and played both Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer into the second half. This, despite Kizer being far-and-away the better performer. Kizer finished the day with a QB rating of 206.5, a 62.5 percent completion percentage, 215 passing yards, 77 rushing yards, and five touchdown throws. Zaire was largely ineffective and, in a game that came down to double overtime and three points, any one of his wasted series could have decided the game for Notre Dame.

But “wasted” is far too harsh a word. As of late evening on Monday, Brian Kelly, at least publicly, had not made any decisions as to who, if either, had earned the position to himself. I’d like to think that Kelly is refusing to let anything play out in the press before he communicates directly with his players, but there’s a part of me that fears the premature consignment of Malik to permanent QB2-status could cause a revolt among the team.

At Monday’s telephone conference, Coach Kelly urged everyone to “tap the breaks and relax,” a phrase which may become his epitaph. How the phrase is ultimately read will depend in large part upon how DC Brian Van Gorder’s defense responds to its dismal performance yesterday. It wasn’t just that the corners and safeties got burned and gave up the big plays. It was that no one tackled and the line was porous as cheesecloth. The Irish surrendered 517 total yards. And yet, there they were, so close to winning it in the fourth quarter, much less in one of the overtimes.

Somehow, Van Gorder’s charges found a way to stone Texas after they kicked a field goal with 9:14 left in the third quarter. On Texas’s next series, Shaun Crawford picked off Shane Buechele and returned it 22 yards to the Texas six, which set up an Irish touchdown. Then, two Texas punts.

The Irish were denied if not a decisive touchdown, then at least a shot at one. With thirty seconds left in the third quarter, DeShone Kizer hit Torii Hunter Jr. in the end zone, where he was separated from the ball and control of his bodily functions by a Texas player’s helmet and/or shoulder. It was clearly targeting and it was neither called nor reviewed.

The ACC has already declared it a missed penalty. Somehow the Big12 has not. They must be too busy counting their ESPN blood money. 11.1 million people watched the ABC broadcast/ESPN live-stream, making the game the most-watched opening game ever.

So much more needs to be written about last night’s game. Hopefully, with time, will come clarity.

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]]> Quarterback: Know Thyself, Know Thy Enemy https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2016/08/26/quarterback-know-thyself-know-thy-enemy/ Fri, 26 Aug 2016 09:00:19 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=35413 This preseason series highlights Notre Dame’s 2016 stars by personnel grouping and identifies who to watch on opposing teams. Today’s position group: the quarterbacks. For the Irish: #9 Malik Zaire (Sr.) and #14 DeShone Kizer (Jr.) While either Malik Zaire or DeShone Kizer will take the first snap against Texas on Sept. 4, the Irish...

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]]> This preseason series highlights Notre Dame’s 2016 stars by personnel grouping and identifies who to watch on opposing teams. Today’s position group: the quarterbacks.

For the Irish: #9 Malik Zaire (Sr.) and #14 DeShone Kizer (Jr.)

SportsCrack apparel

SportsCrack apparel

While either Malik Zaire or DeShone Kizer will take the first snap against Texas on Sept. 4, the Irish ostensibly don’t have a fixed starter.

Coach Brian Kelly announced Aug. 17 that both would play in the opening game.

“We are best prepared to beat Texas by playing both DeShone and Malik,” said Kelly. “If I list our top five playmakers, they are in it. So my ultimate decision was I couldn’t put one of those guys on the sideline against Texas. As it relates to running the offense, the offense is seamless when one of them would come out of the game. There’s not a big change when one is in versus the other. There’s play call differences, but that doesn’t require much change at all. And then there are some situational down and distance and field position consideration that will go into that, as well. This is not a first quarter, second quarter, third quarter, fourth quarter, one guy plays the first and third and one guy plays the second and fourth.”

The shorthand on Kizer is that he is the more accurate passer (with the weaker arm), an adequate runner, a proven winner and a better known entity. Zaire has a smaller body of work, but has a stronger arm and is almost as accurate as Kizer. He’s an exceptional runner and a real headache for opposing defensive coordinator when the play breaks down and he improvises.

This January, Irish Elvis and I debated who should start at quarterback. You can read our arguments for Zaire and Kizer, as well as a hypothetical about Brandon Wimbush.

While I personally prefer Kizer, I’ve long said that I want the quarterback who can give the Irish the best opportunity to win as many games as possible. Kelly thinks playing both of them increases his chances of beating Texas and I trust his judgment.

Credit: CFB Film Room

Credit: CFB Film Room

For the Enemy: #15 Brad Kaaya (Jr.)

Credit: Miami Herald

Credit: Miami Herald

After starting under center for the Hurricanes for two years, Brad Kaaya is being showered with pre-season accolades.

The 6-foot-4, 215 pound signal caller is a preseason Heisman favorite, on the Manning Award watch list, named to All-ACC preason teams and mentioned when quarterbacks in the 2017 NFL draft are discussed.

Kaaya’s 2015 campaign was certainly impressive. He completed 61.2 percent of his passes for 3,238 yards and 16 touchdowns. He threw just five interceptions. With new coach Mark Richt, himself a former quarterback, calling the shots in Coral Gables, many expect Kaaya to improve in his junior campaign.

Here’s the book on Kaaya: He’s an experienced player who is good at reading through his progressions and making the right call. Kaaya appears perfectly comfortable in the pocket. When facing pressure last year, CFB Film Room says he took off running less than 1 percent of the time.

I watched three of his games last year – Cincinnati, Clemson and Virginia Tech – and was struck by two things. His receivers last year dropped a lot of balls. And Kaaya tends to airmail his throws when he misses. On the whole, I felt he was pretty careful with the football. I thought he showed quick decision making and wasn’t afraid to take what the defense was giving him. That limited the sacks during a season where the offensive line showed real holes. Kaaya’s accuracy suffered when he was pressured, so getting in the seasoned QB’s face is going to be a must to limit his effect on the game.

Half of Notre Dame’s opponents this year will be breaking in new quarterbacks. Kaaya is a unique exception in that he’s already started 25 games. While I don’t personally think he’s worth all the preseason hype, he is – by far – the quarterback on the Irish’s schedule who concerns me the most.

 

Credit: CFB Film Room

Credit: CFB Film Room

 

 

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]]> Former NFL QB: I “Hate” ND’s Time Share Idea https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2016/08/25/palmer-hates-nd-quarterback-time-share/ https://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/2016/08/25/palmer-hates-nd-quarterback-time-share/#comments Thu, 25 Aug 2016 15:00:15 +0000 http://www.herloyalsons.com/blog/?p=35407 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. “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...

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]]> 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

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.”

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