2017 NFL Draft Top 10 Quarterback Rankings: Pre-Senior Bowl
By Erik Lambert
#4: Deshone Kizer (Notre Dame)
Few programs have produced more high end quarterbacks in the pros than Notre Dame. So Deshone Kizer has that going for him right off the bat. It’s a good school with high academic standards. That means he’s intelligent. Evidence also exists from the way he can read defenses and make audibles at the line of scrimmage. This is something teams look for almost immediately. To say nothing of his big body, decent athleticism and powerful right arm.
When he’s able to set his feet and deliver with authority, Kizer has thrown some incredible passes. He hasn’t gotten much help from an underwhelming cast of receivers and offensive line. Sacks became a common occurrence, which did showcase his toughness. At the same time it also revealed he is slow to process coverages and can tend to hold the football too long. This is a dangerous trait for a quarterback to have, especially in a much faster NFL.