Notre Dame Football: Brian Kelly Has Always Supported DeShone Kizer
Although some people believe Notre Dame football coach, Brian Kelly, isn’t supporting DeShone Kizer throughout the NFL Draft process, he is and it’s been right in front of our faces.
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After stating that he believes his former quarterback, DeShone Kizer, should “still be in college,” Brian Kelly took a lot of heat surrounding his support for Kizer’s future. Many believed the Notre Dame coach was spiteful that his star play caller left a year early.
Then, Kelly came out and said he would attend the draft and support Kizer’s journey to the NFL. Even if his decision was heartfelt, and he genuinely is trying to go support his quarterback, people no longer believe it.
Kelly isn’t in the wrong, though. Throughout the entire process, he’s shown guidance, something all players need at this time in their career. Maybe, he hasn’t been a cheerleader or Kizer’s biggest fan, but he’s been his coach. Instead of telling him everything he’s done is right, Kelly gave his honest opinion. Something he’s done with Kizer since the day he’s stepped on campus.
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First, to understand Kelly’s position, you need to remove yourself from the “he’s a jerk” mindset. What Kelly said was that Kizer wasn’t ready for the NFL.
Well, he’s right and everyone knows it. Kizer is a project who needs a few years to be NFL ready. His slide from a top 10 pick to a possible second-round selection proves that. Teams know Kizer is a project at the next level. All Kelly did was say what everyone knew out loud. By no means did he downgrade Kizer’s potential, he just stated that he should have stayed another year at Notre Dame.
Watch any Notre Dame game over the last two years. Every time the offense comes off the field, you’ll see the same thing. Kizer walks right up to Kelly, and either gets an ear full or a hug. Why? Because there has been no bigger mentor to DeShone Kizer over the last three years than his head coach.
Even Kizer knows his coach is just saying what he feels is best for the quarterback. In an interview on ESPN 100 in Chicago, Kizer stated that he knows what Kelly said is true, but it’s not in the negative context people perceive it as.
“It can be taken a lot farther than what it actually is, but if you look at the exact words, I am young, I could be back for a couple more years, and I do have a lot of room to grow,” said Kizer. “I can’t be upset with the truth.”
Brian Kelly is by no means the most sensitive coach in the NCAA. He does, however, know what he’s talking about when it comes to his players. When it comes to Kizer, he isn’t unsupportive. All he’s doing is giving his quarterback his thoughts.
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It isn’t like he said, “Kizer isn’t going to make it because he left a year early.” He knows Kizer’s future is bright, heck we all do. What he wanted everyone to know is that he believes the play caller would’ve been more prepared after another college season.
Stop hating on Brian Kelly. He’s got Kizer’s back no matter what, just like he has since day one.