Brandon Wimbush !

[Bodizephax]

What do you guys think? Can he take the Irish to the promised land? We have had enough threads about Kizer but none about our future QB. He seems to have all the physical tools but does he have the competitive fire and will to win ? I don't care about stats or his NFL draft projection--I just want a QB that wins games. I can't wait for spring practice to start so I can see him play.
Thoughts ?

 

[Kelso86]

What do you guys think? Can he take the Irish to the promised land? We have had enough threads about Kizer but none about our future QB. He seems to have all the physical tools but does he have the competitive fire and will to win ? I don't care about stats or his NFL draft projection--I just want a QB that wins games. I can't wait for spring practice to start so I can see him play.
Thoughts ?

"He seems to have all the physical tools but does he have the competitive fire and will to win ?"

That, my friend, is the 64K question! There have been many articles, and comments that he has a better arm than Kizer, is a better runner than MZ -- and anything else in between. But, we have only seen limited snaps in live action (and that was as a true freshman in mop up time). We may see glimpses of that in the spring game, but I expect the staff to keep him safe and under wraps for the most part there. When it is for real in September.. that is when we will find out. How will he react when he is THE MAN under center (well, shotgun!) on the 1st snap of of the season? When things go wrong during a game -- how will his mindset be (Kizer at times seemed to let him affect him and would go into a funk)? These are all things that no one knows at this point.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

BK seems to always do good with a QB in their first year. His play calling, reliance on team play, etc. affects his coaching style. I am looking for a good year out of our Irish this year.

 

[Toby Smart]

Bodi, I am looking at things slightly different. I wouldn't ever think of putting the weight of the team on his young shoulders, or for that matter, the weight of the offense either. Yes, he has to mature and gain experience quickly but he needs help from his OL, Backfield, WRs, defense, and even Yoon. I believe that BW is working very hard this off season to become a legit ND QB. He didn't come to ND to ride the pine. Develop and nurture doesn't mean coddle, it means develop and nurture. The Irish sports media have been high on the potential of BW since day one. Let BK and staff begin the development and nurturing.

 

[irishstuey81]

What do you guys think? Can he take the Irish to the promised land? We have had enough threads about Kizer but none about our future QB. He seems to have all the physical tools but does he have the competitive fire and will to win ? I don't care about stats or his NFL draft projection--I just want a QB that wins games. I can't wait for spring practice to start so I can see him play.
Thoughts ?

Has he been named starter? What about Ian Book?

 

[MTIrish98]

I was at the UMASS game when he played. The young man has another gear running the ball that Kizer and Zaire didn't have. He's Dexter Williams that can throw.

Can he throw well enough and stand tall in the pocket when he needs to, or will he take off and run unnecessarily? That's the big question.

BK has a pretty good record with first year starting QBs. I'd expect Adams & Williams to shoulder a lot of the load to take the pressure off the new QB.

I think the arrow is pointing up though.

 

[gkall24]

Stud QB coming out of high school and had two years to learn the system. Has weapons all around him and a potentially great offensive line with with two first rounders on the left side. If we get through the tough first part of our schedule this could be a big year for the Irish. Hoping Elko is as good as advertised. We have players on Defense. Just need to get them to play to their full potential.

 

[stu4don]

It's all about the O-line. We had a solid O-lilne around a Sophomore Kizer (one year in the system prior to starting as compared to BW's two) and Kizer got us 10 wins. We had a great O-line in front of Sophomore (also only one year in the system) Golson who took us to an undefeated regular season.

I think the O-line this year will be every bit as good as those two.

BW has now been here three years -- two years working closely with QB whisperer Sanford.

It's Brandon's time to seize the freaking day.

 

[john0gaunt]

BW should have been the starter last year. Clearly the best QB on the team with the highest ceiling. He would have to try hard to fail to finish worse than 4-8.

 

[NDCap]

Here is my take on Wimbush . It is his time now . MZ and Kizer were handed the "opportunity" to be the QB last year and that was a major distraction for the team. BW has waited patiently .. something may QB's would not have done. IMO as fans we should allow him to develop without the Heisman expectations. He is walking into a great situation. A very good veteran OLINE , tremendous skill around him and most importantly a new OC . IMO BK is handing this offense over to Long for as "long" as possible because Chip seems to be recruiting very well. Recruits want to play in this new offense. How new ? that remains to be seen . There really is no excuse for this offense not to be successful in 2017. The talent is their all over the field and BW has the tools to make plays as well with his feet if needed. This is an explosive offense and I see 10 wins offensively... now the defense may bring that back a bit with some major ? in the secondary and DL.

 

[Kelso86]

Has he been named starter? What about Ian Book?

Officially, no, he has not been named the starter -- but, from all accounts I have read -- BW is far and away ahead of Book.

 

[Telx1]

Officially, no, he has not been named the starter -- but, from all accounts I have read -- BW is far and away ahead of Book.

I like Book and believe he will prove to be much better than most expected when he signed, but also think Wimbush' ceiling is substantially higher given his running ability and second gear. He clearly should be given the opportunity to lead this team, and Books will prove to be a valuable backup. On paper Books gets squeezed by superior talent his whole career and is never the starter, but we all know that injuries and off field issues can elevate him to starter at any time. He's a smart QB who could make every throw coming out of high school, and who can move around to extend plays, but I hope to see Wimbush as our starter with great success over the next two years.

 

[rgc7]

I think that Wimbush definately has a lot of talent and can become an excellent QB at ND. However,
I agree with the majority of the posters on this tread that Wimbush's degree of success will depend on
just how well the rest of the team, on both sides of the ball, also play and give him support.

 

[IRISHJD98]

I expect Wimbush to start based on his talent, but I also expected Crist to start over Rees. With the exception of last year, it seems like most years we end up playing more than one quarterback to at least some extent for some reason or another.

Recently read an interesting article on Book:
http://www.onefootdown.com/2017/2/1...-book-quarterback-avery-davis-brandon-wimbush

 

[aka ryan]

What do you guys think? Can he take the Irish to the promised land? We have had enough threads about Kizer but none about our future QB. He seems to have all the physical tools but does he have the competitive fire and will to win ? I don't care about stats or his NFL draft projection--I just want a QB that wins games. I can't wait for spring practice to start so I can see him play.
Thoughts ?

 

[zonairish]

Has he been named starter? What about Ian Book?

what about him?

 

[IRISHJD98]

View embedded media

That's respectable.

 

[Pennick44]

What do you guys think? Can he take the Irish to the promised land? We have had enough threads about Kizer but none about our future QB. He seems to have all the physical tools but does he have the competitive fire and will to win ? I don't care about stats or his NFL draft projection--I just want a QB that wins games. I can't wait for spring practice to start so I can see him play.
Thoughts ?

 

[Pennick44]

Brandon has loads of talent. I hope he has championship pedigree . He has paid his dues and I have high hopes.

 

[irishstuey81]

what about him?

If he's better he should play...don't ya think?

 

[zonairish]

If he's better he should play...don't ya think?

if he is better

 

[irishstuey81]

if he is better

That's all I was asking. I sure hope the best guy starts.

 

[Bodizephax]

Bodi, I am looking at things slightly different. I wouldn't ever think of putting the weight of the team on his young shoulders, or for that matter, the weight of the offense either. Yes, he has to mature and gain experience quickly but he needs help from his OL, Backfield, WRs, defense, and even Yoon. I believe that BW is working very hard this off season to become a legit ND QB. He didn't come to ND to ride the pine. Develop and nurture doesn't mean coddle, it means develop and nurture. The Irish sports media have been high on the potential of BW since day one. Let BK and staff begin the development and nurturing.

Toby, I know what you are saying and it is true, But no matter how much players and coaches help him--Brandon being the ND qb better be able to handle an enormous amount of pressure to contend for the playoffs and potential NC otherwise we will have more average seasons IMO. Other first time qbs have done it. Hopefully he has ice in his veins like Joe Montana.

 

[irishstuey81]

Toby, I know what you are saying and it is true, But no matter how much players and coaches help him--Brandon being the ND qb better be able to handle an enormous amount of pressure to contend for the playoffs and potential NC otherwise we will have more average seasons IMO. Other first time qbs have done it. Hopefully he has ice in his veins like Joe Montana.

QB is 70% mental at this point. It's even higher at the next level. Brandon seems like a stud, but that doesn't mean he's the best choice. Hope BK gives them a true shot at starting.

 

[zonairish]

That's all I was asking. I sure hope the best guy starts.

i am sure Book is good but all accoubts wimbush is a stud

 

[Pennick44]

QB is 70% mental at this point. It's even higher at the next level. Brandon seems like a stud, but that doesn't mean he's the best choice. Hope BK gives them a true shot at starting.

He is the best choice. He has paid his dues. If he was weak he would have pulled a GK and bolted. Expect big things!

 

[TheDecker]

QB is 70% mental at this point. It's even higher at the next level. Brandon seems like a stud, but that doesn't mean he's the best choice. Hope BK gives them a true shot at starting.

Depends heavily on the scheme at the college level.

There are TONS of 1-read-and-go offenses at the college level, especially with Spread of HUNH offenses that are run by dual-threat QB's.

I agree that Pro-Style offenses prioritize the decision making and accuracy over all else though

 

[LeadBLKR]

When Kizer was forced into service by Golsons tranfer/Maliks injury , I thought...there goes the season.

After Kizer proved to be more than capable of running the offense over the past 2 seasons, Ive adjusted the way I see QB situations at ND, specifically under BK.

BK has shown the ability to tailor offense to players strengths.(or weaknesses)
{Remember when ND dominated Miami in the Sun Bowl with freshman Tommy Reese. Who looked 12.}

I believe that Wimbush is capable.
I believe he will be successful.
I'm more concerned about the defense.

 

[Irishjohn68]

I wish BW would have gotten some playing time last season.

 

[MTIrish98]

I wish BW would have gotten some playing time last season.

Me too. I imagine the coaches figured Kizer would come back.

 

[Pennick44]

Me too. I imagine the coaches figured Kizer would come back.

BW played the year before. They purposely sat him out to preserve a year of eligibility.

 

[impossibilityofreason1]

Not Statistically likely with Kelly at the Helm. Perhaps the new OC will make a difference. The new DC at the very least has to field a serviceable defense.

 

[irishfan26]

Am I the only one that was hoping Kizer would declare? I had the feeling Wimbush might have left (and I wouldn't have blamed him) had Kizer stayed. I would love to have heard the conversation between him and Kelly. Curious to know how much Kelly tried to get him to stay. I am trying to put last season out of my mind. With the new staff and a new play-caller (hopefully Kelly gives him the reigns), I will be interested to see what we will look like offensively. But, if we are giving up 35+ points a game and still can't tackle in the open field, it won't matter who our qb is.

 

[MTIrish98]

BW played the year before. They purposely sat him out to preserve a year of eligibility.

I understand 100%. I don't disagree with what they did considering what they knew. I was stating that in hindsight I would prefer BW to get more experience.

When redshirting BW was the plan, we all figured Kizer was going to be back. If everyone knew Kizer was going to head for the draft, I wonder if they would've preferred to get BW some playing time in 2016 to benefit 2017 & 2018 instead of saving his eligibility for 2019. That was my point.

Now if BW does well in 2017 and 2018, he might leave for the draft and make saving the eligibility seem silly.

 

[Irish Grandeur]

Am I the only one that was hoping Kizer would declare? I had the feeling Wimbush might have left (and I wouldn't have blamed him) had Kizer stayed. I would love to have heard the conversation between him and Kelly. Curious to know how much Kelly tried to get him to stay. I am trying to put last season out of my mind. With the new staff and a new play-caller (hopefully Kelly gives him the reigns), I will be interested to see what we will look like offensively. But, if we are giving up 35+ points a game and still can't tackle in the open field, it won't matter who our qb is.

Count me in - I was glad Kizer declared. It seemed to me that Golson and Kizer both pulled back after getting leads. Then they would pull out heroic victories (or not). I want to see ND football roll teams in dominating fashion and save the nail-biter games for Top 10 teams.

 

[Irishjohn68]

I understand 100%. I don't disagree with what they did considering what they knew. I was stating that in hindsight I would prefer BW to get more experience.

When redshirting BW was the plan, we all figured Kizer was going to be back. If everyone knew Kizer was going to head for the draft, I wonder if they would've preferred to get BW some playing time in 2016 to benefit 2017 & 2018 instead of saving his eligibility for 2019. That was my point.

Now if BW does well in 2017 and 2018, he might leave for the draft and make saving the eligibility seem silly.

Could not agree more. It's almost not worth red shirting players who have the upside of leaving for the NFL after their junior year.

 

[mrwigglesby21]

Wimbush will be the best QB to come through ND since Clausen. I'm on record two years ago saying he had more tools than either Zaire or Kizer. Everyone get in line so when I walk by you can pat me on the back.

 

[TheDecker]

Could not agree more. It's almost not worth red shirting players who have the upside of leaving for the NFL after their junior year.

Wimbush's height and style could definitely keep him around as a 3-year starter at ND, almost regardless of whatever success he has.

He could be an interesting case if he has 2 huge years at ND, but if he's measuring in at 6'1"....I would imagine he'd need every oppertunity there is to put out good film

 

[MTIrish98]

Good point Decker. He might not project well to the draft no matter how well he does in college.

 

[theskibro]

Good point Decker. He might not project well to the draft no matter how well he does in college.

Glad Kizer left. His career went downhill from Virginia game he played well thru Clemson and then slowly eroded

Bad in red zone

Wimbush should have started last year or at least shared. Kizer was that inconsistent

Kelly sucks