Looking Ahead: Quarterbacks

The 2012 season is officially over, and in my mind, the 2013 season has officially started, so it’s time to look ahead.  As we move toward National Signing Day on February 6 and look at our beloved team speculate where we are and where we are headed, the best place to start is at the quarterback position.

The Irish should be pretty secure with where they are at quarterback.  There is a solid starter with great potential and talent, and now he’s proven it in both college and high school game experiences.

Everett Golson has grown leaps and bounds during the season.  He easily could have packed it in, especially having been pulled several times this season.  He came to South Bend with more than a few big offers, sat behind a sophomore with turnover problems on an 8-5 team, and hung in there to earn the starting job.  His growth potential and celling are still pretty high after a year of being on the scout team and a year of game action.  However, there is enough talent in his rearview mirror to keep Everett honest and working hard.

Tommy Rees brings three years of live game experience, and not just mop up or back up duty, but as a starter and a “reliever” in big time situations.  I doubt Tommy will ever be in the mix again for a starting role.  I don’t even see him being a solid second.  I do see him as the next man in during a game if things go bad due to injury or poor play.  After that, the team takes a week to incorporate their next starter.

Gunner Kiel should work his way into the number two spot by next fall.  In my opinion, he is physically ready to start in the NFL right now.  Although Kiel is not the same style player Golson is and the transition may be rougher, he has as much potential as Notre Dame has history.  With Golson growing and Malik Zaire (Golson 2.0) coming in, Kiel may not fit the offensive direction, but he is a solid, big-time division one quarterback prospect.  With four years of eligibility left, he may be a starter for the Irish yet.

Malik Zaire fits the current direction that the offense seems to be going in with Golson.  Everett has done well, but not great, with Kelly’s offense.  Malik will have an uphill battle coming onto campus to see the field anytime in 2013.  Golson has earned the chance to lose the starting job next year and should be able to hold off the contenders, but Zaire may be the best long-term challenge to his crown.  Like Golson, Malik is enrolling early at Notre Dame to get a jump on learning the college game and culture.

Andrew Hendrix seems to be the odd man out.  At 6’2”, 220+ lbs. with a strong arm and proven running ability, coupled with two years of positive game experience, he would be a sure fire number two at most programs (if not competing for a starting role) heading into his fourth year in South Bend.

Overall, the Irish seem to be in good shape at quarterback for the near future.  Notre Dame seems to have a good combination of experience, ability, potential and eligibility.

*Note – Notre Dame had sophomore non-scholarship quarterback Charlie Fiessinger on the roster.