DeShone Kizer: From Holder to Irish Hero
By Jay Siskin
Sep 5, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer (14) handles the snap as holder on a place kick in the fourth quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won 38-3. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Who is DeShone Kizer? This is likely the most common question across the nation when college football fans talk about Notre Dame. Irish fans may already know the story of DeShone Kizer, but the rest of the nation is just now learning his name.
DeShone Kizer? Isn’t he the holder for kicker Justin Yoon? The more informed college football fans might ask. They’d be right even now, if not for one pivotal moment when his number was called. The correct answer is he WAS the holder. DeShone Kizer is the quarterback of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and he is poised to carry the Golden Domers to the promised land.
-= Related: Kizer Leads Notre Dame to Heroic Victory =–
The Fighting Irish started this season off with high expectations and an impressive, dominating performance against the Texas Longhorns. Notre Dame had playoff admirations before the season. Then, Malik Zaire’s name launched into the Heisman Trophy watch.
Suddenly, Malik Zaire goes down with a broken ankle in a close game against Virginia. For a moment, it seemed like all those hopes and expectations were dashed. But wait! There was still a chance to obtain their goal of reaching the College Football Playoff even after Zaire broke his ankle.
When Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire broke his ankle, Brian Kelly had to turn to DeShone Kizer, a second-year player. The Irish’s playoff hopes now rested on the shoulders of Kizer. The spotlight of an entire fanbase shined down brightly on the talented sophomore from Ohio.
How did Kizer respond in his first action of the season? Oh you know, he just calmly leads his team down the field with less than 2:00 remaining for the game-winning drive against Virginia. A drive that was capped off by a deep pass to WR William Fuller for the touchdown.
Next: Taking Ownership