Ian Book Looking To Take The Next Step Forward
Ian Book entered this spring looking to push Brandon Wimbush for the starting quarterback job. Wimbush called the healthy competition good competition and the 6-foot, 200-pounder echoes the statement.
“It’s fun,” Books stated. “Brandon would say the same thing. We push each other, and we’re both getting better from it.”
The California native is focused on moving his game forward as he knows the team will also move forward with good quarterback play in 2018.
“I have to excel my game and take a step forward,” explained Book. I have my own specific goals, but I want to be a better leader.
“I want to master the playbook better and reading coverages to the next step. I want to take everything to the next step.”
Notre Dame finished 2017 with 10 wins, which also included plenty of chances for Book to gain experience when the game was out of reach. Book also started against North Carolina and finished the Citrus Bowl against LSU.
The experience has helped Book become more confident, but the chance to be in the same offense for the second year in a row is also a huge confidence builder.
“It’s going great,” Book said of the spring. “Year two in the offense feels awesome to be able to have a year under our belt.”
The performance against LSU is something Book continues to hear about, but he's not thinking much about it.
“It’s definitely helped my confidence,” Book said. “It was a great way to end the year but that year is over. We have moved on to a new season. I do think it’s great momentum for this team, but it’s in the past. We’re focused on individual and team goals day by day.
“Some people talk about it, but I’ve moved on from it. It was a great way to win and a great memory, but I’ve moved on from it.”
Book’s experience in 2017 has also allowed him to understand the big picture in the quarterback race. He isn’t getting too high or too low with each day, but he’s merely focused on becoming the best quarterback he can be in the film room and the practice field.
“I take it practice by practice,” stated Book. “I don’t want to focus on the competition. I have to keep doing what I can do every day to better myself. At the end, they’ll pick a starter, but I’m not going to worry about that day by day.”