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Notre Dame Football Recruiting

Film Don't Lie: Jack Kiser

June 12, 2018
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The first two sentences of my initial notes after watching Jack Kiser’s film, before he was offered by Notre Dame, went like this:

I don’t know if I like this kid for a ND offer, but I like this kid as a ball player. Would be fine if they rolled the dice with him.

The last thing I wrote in my notes was this:

Would like to watch him in person (to get a better evaluation).

I haven’t had that chance yet, but Clark Lea did during the May evaluation period. Immediately after, Notre Dame offered.

That says a lot about what Lea saw that day and it backs up what the film says about Kiser. He’s a very good athlete and a heck of a ball player that shines at multiple positions. He’s not highly rated, but Kiser is a high ceiling prospect that has the potential develop into a great player for the Irish.

Height: 6’2”

Weight: 210

Projected Position: Buck or Rover

ISD Grade: 87 (3-star)

National Average Grade: 85 (3-star)

What he does best:

Kiser is a great athlete. He reached the podium in discus and shot put for the state of Indiana in track and field and recently ran a 10.94 100 meters. It’s not surprising that he is good at pretty much everything he does on the football field for Pioneer High School. He’s fast, physical, and coordinated.

He’s far more than just an athlete, though. He’s a pure football player. Kiser plays quarterback on offense and even at that position he shows grit running through tackles and even blocking down the field like on this play where he got not one, but two key blocks for his teammate.

via GIPHY

His future at Notre Dame is going to be on defense, specifically at linebacker. He plays safety and plays it well for his defense, but he shows the traits of a linebacker. He does a great job of pursuing inside-out while attacking downhill in the run game. His instincts, both in coverage and against the run, are very strong. He recognizes and accelerates to the football.

He’s a very solid tackler. When he arrives, he hits through ball carriers like on this particular play where he drives on contact.

via GIPHY

It might sound simplistic to describe him as a playmaker, but it is the best word to describe his game. He throws, runs, and even returns punt for touchdowns. He makes plays near the line of scrimmage frequently and has terrific ball skills. He’s had 13 interceptions in the last two seasons.

via GIPHY

What he needs to improve:

I mentioned his Instincts and recognition while playing in the secondary, but it’s different as an inside linebacker, which is where I project him. Even if he plays Rover, he’ll still have to learn how to defeat blocks and see things in tighter quarters.

It’s a whole new world when a player is dealing with guards and working through the muck that is the inside run game. It will likely take some time to make the transition.

It’s both a compliment to him and the reality of his competition to say he is the best athlete on the field. It’s going to be a vastly different level of size and speed that he is going to have to adjust to that will be more drastic than some others will have to deal with.

What’s his ceiling?

Tyler Eifert and Drue Tranquill were both in-state prospects that made a significant impact at different positions for their high school programs. Both also impressed members of the Notre Dame coaching staff in person to earn their offer. We know how things progressed with Eifert and Irish fans are currently getting to enjoy the development of Tranquill since he’s been healthy and found the right fit at linebacker.

I see similarities in Kiser to Tranquill and believe he has an equally high ceiling. Whether he reaches that ceiling is still to be determined, but what Tranquill has done as a former safety turned linebacker is a great blueprint for Kiser to follow.

A standout track and field athlete as well, he fits the profile of a multi-sport/multi-position 3-star prospect that hasn’t specialized at one spot. His best football is ahead of him and I love this addition to the class for the Irish.

BREAKING: 2019 LB Jack Kiser Gives Commitment To Notre Dame 

Watch 2019 LB Jack Kiser Commit To Notre Dame

 
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