Notre Dame Football Recruiting: Zaire Enrolls Early
By Andrew Hall
Jan 7, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) reacts during the second half of the 2013 BCS Championship game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Malik Zaire
Quarterback
4-Star
Dayton, Ohio
Commitment Date: 03/25/2012
Malik Zaire committed to Notre Dame following a Junior Day visit to South Bend. His commitment to Notre Dame demonstrates a great deal about his character. Zaire does not fear competition at the Quarterback position. He possesses the same tools as Everett Golson but from a legitimate 6 foot frame. Despite enrolling early at Notre Dame, he will probably not be in the Top 4 immediately. But he should be able to compete with Andrew Hendrix for the forth string position. He will be able to learn on the scout team as Golson and Kiel before him.
From the Slap the Sign Evaluation:
"One thing that was really striking about Zaire was his poise in the pocket and in the game overall. It appeared as if the game came very easy to him. He sat calmly in the pocket and then ran when needed, always keeping his eyes down field. His play on the field is reminiscent of Everett Golson’s high school film.Zaire was accurate overall throughout the night. Despite an interception and 13 incomplete passes, most passes were on target. The passes that fell incomplete were mainly drops. The interception, which can be seen on the video, hit off the receivers hands and then was intercepted by a Fairmont defender. There were only about two or three passes where Zaire completely missed his target.Zaire could improve the accuracy, however. Some passes put his receivers in difficult positions. Despite his Receivers not coming down with the ball, Zaire still turned the ball over two times. Zaire failed to secure the ball one time He threw a ball that exposed the Receiver to getting hit and eventually tipped.To improve as a Quarterback, Malik Zaire must become more of a student of the game. Zaire clearly has enough to be one of the best Quarterbacks in the country. He is as good or better than Notre Dame’s current Quarterback Everett Golson…(READ MORE)"