Notre Dame Football Spring Practice Positional Overview: Quarterbacks

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have already finished an early signing day, concluded their season with a bowl win over the LSU Tigers, and wrapped up the final signing day. Now, it’s time to begin the transition to Spring Football. To prepare for that, we’re going to take a look at the overview of each positional group heading into spring. It is worth noting that early enrollees will be included in this, but signees who did not enroll early will not be included. Without further ado, let’s get right into it.

Quarterbacks:

• Brandon Wimbush (SR)
• Ian Book (JR)
• Avery Davis (SO)

Notes:

The quarterback depth chart ended on a rather confusing note for the Irish. The year-long starter - Brandon Wimbush - also started the game against LSU. However, he performed poorly (which was not atypical as we all know) and was pulled from the field in favor of backup Ian Book. Book had started a single game when Wimbush was injured, and had played in some garbage time prior, but he was a relatively unknown commodity to throw out on the field against an upper-echelon defense much like LSU’s. But, Brian Kelly needed a spark.

And he got it.

Book led the Irish to an impressive 21-17 victory over the Bayou Bengals, even ending the game with an insane throw-and-catch to Miles Boykin (to give credit where credit is due, Boykin made that play what it was). This was a feel-good story for Book and a happy ending to the season for the Irish.

However, Kelly and staff were left with a bit of a conundrum on their hands: who is the better quarterback to lead the Irish? Is it Wimbush or Book?

Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

So, for the umpteenth time in Brian Kelly’s tenure, there will be yet another position battle for two quarterbacks to duke out before the season begins. While the season is a very long ways away, it appears now as if this is Book’s job to lose. When the lights were brightest, he showed up. In this case, its the “it” factor versus physical ability. It seems as if we will have to wait a while to get any clarity on the winner here, as the aforementioned signal-callers will likely continue this battle well into August.

As for Avery Davis, he will ideally not see the field this year. There is still work to be done by him as a quarterback, and there is no need to rush him onto the field unless something catastrophic happens and both Wimbush and Book get injured. There is talent and ability abound with Davis, but 2018 shouldn’t be the year that he gets his first real shot. His time to prove himself will come in the future.