The Notre Dame Quarterback Derby
The Fighting Irish head into their second season with head coach Brian Kelly but the main query on everybody’s mind when it comes to Notre Dame’s football program is who will be the starting quarterback come September 3rd’s opener against South Florida.
Coming off the back of two knee surgeries in two seasons, former starter Dayne Crist is training like a demon, fighting for his place back. After rupturing his patella tendon in his left knee last October Crist took part in spring practice but was “tentative” according to Kelly.
The senior looks sharp now, however, and mobile in the pocket. Although never being the kind of quarterback that can rush in a spread offence, Crist has proven that he can avoid the rush.
“After having two knee surgeries sometimes you get a little protective of your lower body and you slow down your footwork. I didn’t sense that at all,” Kelly said, on Crist.
Standing at 6’4” and 235 pounds, Crist will be competing with Tommy Rees who took over the starting role last year before leading Notre Dame to four straight victories over Utah, Army, Southern California and then Miami in the Sun Bowl.
Rees threw 12 TDs with eight interceptions last year compared to Crist’s 15 TDs and seven interceptions but some question Crist’s ability to lead the team.
Rees was an early enrolee freshman a year ago and, at the age of 18 and with Crist going down with his injury, was thrown into the starting quarterback position at the prestigious football program. He more than coped, leading the team well to victory in the Sun Bowl. And he wants the job for keeps.
“Obviously I want to be the starter,” Rees said. “I’m going to do everything I can to put myself in the right position.”
He added, “as far as Dayne and I, I know we’re going head-to-head. We’re splitting reps out there.”
Two other quarterbacks on the squad hope to get game time, Andrew Hendrix who didn’t play at all last year as a freshman and this year’s freshman, Everett Golson.
Hendrix, out of Moeller High, Cincinnati spent most of his time on the scout team last year whereas Golson, from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is an impressive athlete with electrifying pace, to the extent that Kelly said he is a candidate to return kicks this season.
Article courtesy of NJ Sharrocks.