Notre Dame Football: Realistic expectations for Ian Book in 2021
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame Football program lost their leader in Ian Book this offseason, and here are realistic rookie expectations for him in 2021.
The Notre Dame Football program is looking for their next quarterback entering the 2021 season, as Ian Book was a fourth round selection of the New Orleans Saints a few months back. Book, who led the Irish to two of the last three College Football Playoffs, is going into a perfect scenario for him as he starts his pro career.
For years, the Saints have been led by a smaller-size quarterback in Drew Brees, who would go on to become one of the best quarterbacks the game has ever seen. Now that he is retired, the hope for the Saints is that either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill can step up and earn the starting job, but neither has proven they can win consistently at the NFL level.
That makes this an interesting spot for Book, who worked his way up the depth chart in South Bend, and would have one of the more successfully surprising careers we have seen as of late. In New Orleans, the task will be even harder, but head coach Sean Payton has shown he does not start quarterbacks based on arm strength or stature.
Book may not have great height, or an elite arm, but he is a winner, and a fighter, and as a rookie, it would not be surprising if he saw the field. Right now, Book is the No. 3 quarterback on the depth chart, but before the 2021 regular season comes to a close, I expect he will have been given a chance to show what he can do at the NFL level.
Notre Dame Football with a question mark at quarterback
His alma mater has a question mark at the position he left vacant as we enter July, though the growing conception is Jack Coan will be the starter. To be that, he will have to beat out a solid young quarterback in Drew Pyne, as well as true freshman Tyler Buchner, who looked very good in the Blue-Gold Game.
Then, there is the question as to who makes the better backup quarterback for the Irish, so there is a lot to digest heading into the summer months.
Being the first quarterback selected on Day 3 was huge for Book, and landing where he did will give him the best chance as he starts his NFL career. The Saints will be an interesting team to keep an eye on in 2021 as they move on from Drew Brees, and maybe another smaller quarterback can take over the huddle sooner than later.