Notre Dame QB Book growing in command, leadership
Ian Book might be spending more time than ever on Notre Dame’s campus.
Just in a football classroom rather than traditional ones.
The starting quarterback for the No. 10 Fighting Irish, Book – already a Notre Dame graduate -- has a modified fall semester schedule complete with online-only classes.
He’s nonetheless logging countless hours with first-year offensive coordinator and former Irish quarterback Tommy Rees as Notre Dame prepares to host Duke Saturday (2:30 p.m., NBC) in its first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference opener.
“I go home and come straight here,” said Book, named a two-time team captain Tuesday, in his first public interview in more than 250 days. “I’m here early in the morning, and I leave late at night. I’m wearing my mask all the time with Coach Rees, no matter what, always hand-sanitizing. Just I would hate to miss a game because of testing positive or being in a contact trace. Coach Kelly says all the time, it’s about our human behavior. So it’s on us.
“All my classes on our Zoom, so I’m not even on campus. Obviously, I would like it to be the other way and be able to enjoy the whole experience, but obviously, we’ve got to play this season and I’ve got to do what I gotta do to stay healthy.”
Book’s health-conscious approach mirrors that of his work in becoming a complete leader for Notre Dame.
“First thing would be leadership,” Book said of his approach to continue ascending after his 3,000-yard, 34-touchdown 2019 campaign. “(Tuesday), for example, just being more vocal. We had a great Tuesday, Coach (Brian) Kelly said it was one of the better Tuesdays he’s been around. Bringing energy.
We’ve got young guys in there, bringing up their confidence.
“And then just diving deeper into the playbook and into any type of defensive recognition. Just understanding more football, working on my football IQ every single day. I’m with Coach Rees every day, hours before practice and hours after. Just taking that next step in football IQ.”
Kelly, leading a Notre Dame program seeking to play for its first-ever conference championship with provisional membership this season in the ACC, is understandably protective of Book, who’s now 21-3 as the Irish’s starting quarterback.
“We have Ian in a very different situation where he is by himself,” Kelly said. “We keep him under wraps and we'll continue to do that throughout this season."
Book, meanwhile, is going to continue doing whatever he can to elevate the Notre Dame offense.
“It’s been fun to just work with new players,” said Book, who owns more than 6,000 passing yards, 1,000 rushing yards and 65 career touchdowns. “We’ve got some young guys in there getting a lot of reps who are doing a phenomenal job. As the quarterback, just being able to work on chemistry with all those guys from the running backs to the tight ends to the receivers.
“It’s huge for me. I feel real comfortable with them, which is where I need to be. Excited for Saturday.”
