DeShone Kizer Declares for the 2017 NFL Draft

Junior quarterback DeShone Kizer has declared for the 2017 NFL Draft and the 6-foot-4, 235-pounder will forgo his senior season at Notre Dame.

Kizer issued a statement:

"Three years ago, I made a decision to attend the University of Notre Dame. I found a second home and a second family. I made many connections on and off the field, that change my life in a positive manner. I’m truly grateful and blessed for everything that I’ve received.

I have an opportunity to continue my football career in the NFL. My family and I have taken the last couple weeks to collect all the necessary information to make a decision that will impact our future. After discussing with my family and coaches, and weighing the pros and cons of remaining at Notre Dame, I believe it’s time to change my path.

I’ve decide to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft. I’m ready to accept this challenge.

I want to thank the University of Notre Dame, its fans, my teammates, my coaches and the entire football staff for standing beside me and believing in me throughout my career. I’m a better person today because of the support.

I will forever be Irish at heart.”

After a two-year career in South Bend, Kizer will finish with 5,809 passing yards, 47 passing touchdowns and 19 interceptions. On the ground, he will finish with 992 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.

Bleacher Report’s NFL Draft expert Matt Miller had this to say about Kizer’s decision.

“Kizer has more potential than any QB in the 2017 class,” Miller told Irish Sports Daily. “His arm strength and anticipation are eye opening, and with NFL development he has the tools to be a starting passer. There was little doubt he would declare now and I feel like it's the right time for him to get into the pro game.”

Kizer committed to Notre Dame on June 11th 2013 shortly after an unofficial visit to South Bend. The former four-star prospect held offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Louisville, LSU, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Northwestern, Penn State, Tennessee and Wisconsin to name just a few.

The Toledo native spent his first year moving between Notre Dame’s varsity squad and scout team, but did not see action for the Irish in 2014.

In 2015, Kizer entered the season as the backup quarterback and holder for field goals. The second week of the season, Kizer got his first touchdown pass on a fake field goal, but then later replaced Malik Zaire, who broke his ankle. Kizer then threw a game winning touchdown pass with 12 seconds left in the game and the DeShone Kizer era started in South Bend.

As a sophomore, Kizer completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,884 yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, as he helped lead Notre Dame to a Fiesta Bowl appearance.

Kizer then held off a strong push from Zaire in 2016 to become the starting quarterback and once again lit up the stat sheet. As a junior, Kizer completed 58.7 percent of his passes for 2,925 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

At the Echoes '16, the season banquet, Kizer took home MVP of the 2016 team.

Many draft experts feel Kizer would benefit from another year in school, but with the premium on quarterbacks, there is a good chance Kizer will be a Top 3 pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, if not the 1st overall selection by the home-state Cleveland Browns.