Notre Dame Football: Top-25 players of the Brian Kelly era

Notre Dame Football: Top-25 players of the Brian Kelly era

17. Ian Book, QB, 2017-20

• 63.8% completion percentage, 8,948 passing yards, 72 passing TDs, 1,517 rushing yards, 17 rushing TDs

Ian Book took over the starting job from Brandon Wimbush in the 2018 season, when it became clear that particular Notre Dame team had the chance to be special, beyond what Notre Dame had had in recent seasons. At the end of the day, Book was a winner, and while he never wowed anyone the way Brady Quinn did under Charlie Weis, Book found open receivers and created opportunities with his legs and he took Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff twice.

Ian Book is second in Notre Dame history, among quarterbacks, in every major passing category, including passing yards and touchdowns. One category Ian Book is first in, though, is most wins by a starting quarterback in Notre Dame history, with 30.

It’s simply impossible to look at the success he has found and not recognize Book as one of the great players in Notre Dame history, not just the Brian Kelly era. He is going to be a tough player to replace next season, as he not only was able to put up statistics on the field, but he was also a leader in and out of the locker room.

As a whole, his career is right up there with any quarterback to put on a Notre Dame uniform.