Our Two Cents with a Quarter Back

Here is what I expect to unfold with the quarterback position in the upcoming year.  There will be no quarterback controversy or really a competition, at least for the starting role.  Everett Golson has proven himself and will be the starter for the Irish.  Although there were some growing pains in 2012, he has grown and developed under Kelly’s leadership and I expect he will continue to do so in 2013.  In no way, shape or form is Golson done growing physically or mentally.  Everett will continue to work on his physical development along with every other player in South Bend, but I expect his mental development will show the biggest jump next fall.  Understand that Golson was an early enrollee and spent a spring, summer and full season on the scout team before facing Navy in Ireland. However, being able to work this offseason with a year of game experience should pay off in solid dividends next season.

I don’t think Golson will be looking over his shoulder for Tommy Rees as he did last season, but Rees will be the step-in if Golson needs to come out during a game.  Rees will not be the number two on the depth chart, but should be the next man in during an emergency (i.e. equipment issue, injury, etc.).  Tommy has the experience and composure to jump in at the drop of a hat but with only one year of eligibility left, Kelly would need to give any meaningful back-up time to someone else. 

Gunner Kiel will be the official back-up and will be put in between games if needed and go in for meaningful clean-up game duty snaps.  The clock will begin running on Kiel’s eligibility in 2013 and as the number one rated quarterback coming out of high school, sitting on the practice squad is okay (even for an early enrollee) for one year, but after that he probably needs to see the field with a legitimate chance to show what he’s got, or he’s got to think about going somewhere else.

Andrew Hendrix will be utilized for possible mop-up and emergency use (meaning everyone else is hurt and the game situation is not important enough to burn a year of eligibility for Malik Zaire).  He may get it on some specific running situations.  Do not feel overly sorry for Andrew though; he is pre-med and will leave South Bend with nice degree from a pretty prestigious institution of higher learning.

Finally, Malik Zaire will be redshirted.  Much like Golson, Zaire has enrolled early and will get a head start on his college experience.  From all accounts, Zaire is Golson 2.0, but is a little taller and a little better passer.