Kelly on Book, Notre Dame offense: 'Now really have some fun'
His name already dots plenty of categories in Notre Dame’s offensive record books.
There’s 16 bullet-points listed on his official Fighting Irish bio – just synopsizing the 2019 season.
Now, though, now is when Brian Kelly believes star quarterback Ian Book’s complete command of the Notre Dame offense is such that now the fun begins in earnest for the senior Book.
“Much more the nuances of the position when you have a guy like Ian Book coming back,” Brian Kelly said Monday on a ZOOM video call with reporters. “Changing cadence, changing up where his eyes are looking to freeze somebody in the secondary and go somewhere else. Those things you can’t do unless you have a great grasp and know what we want to do.
“Now we can really have some fun here and focus on some of the nuances of the position that separate you and make you one of the best players in college football.”
Book isn’t perhaps widely viewed on the level of Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence or Ohio State’s Justin Fields quite yet, but as he prepares for his second complete season as Notre Dame’s undisputed starting quarterback and his first with Tommy Rees’ choreography of the offense, Book already is operating on an advanced level after amassing 6,100 passing yards and 65 total touchdowns through three seasons.
A week into the Irish’s preparations for their 2020 campaign, set for a Sept. 12 home opener against Duke, Book largely is picking up where he closed a scintillating 2019 season in which he was named the team’s offensive MVP, was a Jonny Unitas Golden Arm Award finalist and threw for more than 3,000 yards with 34 touchdowns against just six picks.
Book’s completed more than 70 percent of his passes through five practices, including a scrimmage, and further taken charge of his position group.
“Well, I think we’ve got a great culture in there and having Tom (Rees) in there with those guys makes it for a very good situation because he played here, played under me, creates a great continuity with the group there,” Kelly said.
“Then you’ve got a veteran quarterback coming back in Ian Book, who’s a great leader. You couldn't ask for all the intangibles to be a better situation for us going into this season with all the distractions that are out there as well, with our current situation with the (COVID-19) virus.”
Book’s offensive line returns largely intact as well, but he’s missing former star tight end Cole Kmet and record-setting wideout Chase Claypool, both second-round NFL Draft picks this spring.
There’s versatility with Notre Dame’s current offense, including Kyren Williams’ ability to line up in a multitude of spots, and again the tight end group is a strength, headlined by Tommy Tremble.
Moreover, Book’s a threat running the ball – with more than 1,000 career rushing yards, including 500 last season – and also seeking additional ways to carry the throw game.
“Well, I mean, you’re really trying to work on things outside of installation and coverage-recognition,” Kelly said. “You’re trying to work on some of the things that can separate him on being one of the best in college football. So, tight-window throws, one-on-one, indefensible throws where only one guy can get to it.
“You’re really focusing in on some specific things. Not the totality of the offense; he’s got a great grasp of it.”