Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer will leave Notre Dame early. On Monday, the junior declared for the 2017 NFL Draft, foregoing his final season with the Fighting Irish.
Kizer first announced his decision in an Bleacher Report exclusive.
B/R Exclusive: Potential top-10 pick @DKizer_14 makes his NFL draft decision #BRxND https://t.co/YiYZp4wGqh pic.twitter.com/tTxuagvEa0
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 12, 2016
Shortly afterwards, he shared the following message:
https://twitter.com/DKizer_14/status/808372932791726082
Pegged by many as the top passer in the 2017 NFL Draft class, Kizer will certainly get some consideration as the top quarterback to be taken, if not the first player off the board. As things currently stand, the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers are the top two teams set to pick next April, and both need a franchise passer.
As a two-year starter for the Irish, Kizer showed off his tremendous arm, demonstrated the ability to fit the ball into tight spaces. He also displayed excellent instincts and had a knack for leading his receivers into open spaces.
During his final season at Notre Dame, Kizer remained a strong performer even as the program around him slipped into a shambles. He finished his career at Notre Dame completing 60.8 percent of his passes for 5,805 yards with 47 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.