2017 NFL Draft: DeShone Kizer Has Redeemed Himself From the NFL Combine
After a lackluster skills performance at the 2017 NFL Combine, DeShone Kizer redeemed himself and his 2017 NFL Draft stock.
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When Kizer failed to impress with his numbers during the combine, many were nervous his draft stock plummet. But he’s used Notre Dame’s Pro Day and John Gruden’s QB Camp to show the NFL he still may be the best quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft.
The combine wasn’t Kizer’s only shot to impress, though, and he used both opportunities to shine in front of NFL scouts. Now that his draft tryouts are over, he can look back and know he fought back after a poor start to the draft process.
People are always worried about Notre Dame’s 4-8 record in 2016. Of course, a losing record doesn’t look good for a player hoping to be taken in the top 10 picks of the draft. Add subpar numbers to the NFL Combine, and now people begin to really worry.
Then, Kizer turned everything around. His one bright spot at the combine was his passing. He showed his strong arm and ability to make throws at any level. Everyone knows he may have the strongest arm in the draft. When he showed it again at the combine, it kept him in the conversation for the first quarterback to be taken this April.
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Kizer needed a solid Pro Day to get back on track. Although he didn’t redeem himself in the 40-yard dash or any other skill drills, he did get to show off his arm once again. While the other Irish draft-hopefuls tried to be worthy enough to hear their name in the draft, Kizer was set out to get back into the talk of the best QB.
Kizer’s biggest impression has come from John Gruden’s QB Camp. Not only did Kizer get to explain his tough 2016 season, why he’s a leader, and a little music, but he also got to spend one-on-one time throwing with one of the best coaches of the 21st century.
While the combine and Pro Day were great chances for Kizer to show off his arm. But when Gruden worked with Kizer, he put him in situations where Kizer got to show where his strengths actually are. Whether it was commands or looking for yards after catch, Gruden had Kizer doing it all.
On top of it all, Gruden always adds elements to plays the combine just doesn’t. Showing blitz, rushing corners, and asking for Kizer to pull out to the outside and throw all add to the showmanship of Kizer’s game. When the quarterback got to do more than just throw out of the pocket, he was able to show what really makes him special as a passer.
The NFL Combine wasn’t the shinning place for DeShone Kizer. If his draft tryout ended there, he probably would’ve been the second or third quarterback in the draft. He didn’t waste the opportunity to redeem himself, though.
When the spotlight was on him once again, Kizer proved he’s ready for the pros and deserves to be one of the first QBs taken in this year’s draft. Now, with less than a month away from the draft, Kizer has to sit back and hope he did enough to become the first quarterback drafted.
His performances should earn him a top 10 pick. Whether it’s the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, or New York Jets, Kizer would be happy just to hear his name called in the first ten picks. After three chances to show off his skills, Kizer has done more than enough to be on the top of multiple teams’ lists.