This Guy Plays Notre Dame Football: #24 Jack Kiser, Linebacker

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a roster full of players, and we want to talk about them all. One Foot Down’s player profile series will take a look at every single one of them, and hopefully we all learn a little bit more about these guys, and Notre Dame’s chances for the upcoming 2020 season.

#24 Jack Kiser, LB

Jack Kiser is a sophomore coming to the team from Pioneer High School and Royal Center, IN. He was named Mr. Football for the state Indiana in 2018. Even though Jack was an early enrollee eligible for spring ball, he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery. He had a torn labral in his shoulder. He had to recover from his February 2019 surgery, so that sidelined him for all of spring practice last season.

Even though he was just starting his career with the Irish, Kiser was looking to compete with Shayne Simon and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah at ROVER because Asmar Bilar was moving to the MIKE linebacker position. It would’ve been interesting to see how spring ball would’ve been for Jack. Asmar Bilal obviously has been done with the program because of graduation/eligibility (Bilal also just signed to the Chargers as an undrafted free agent). However, many of the same guys are still in the lineup ahead of Jack. Jack, too, also did not see a snap in any game last year, so he still has all four years of eligibility left.

Spirit Animal

Kaiser Roll

Jack Kiser’s spirit animal is a kaiser roll. His name sounds like the roll. He looks very good, but he also has a lot to offer under the surface. He is from Indiana, and hearty breads like this are classic staples of Midwest cuisine. Jack has had to wait a bit to play so he is “roll”ing with the punches.

2020 Outlook

Part of Kiser’s need to roll with the punches involves the men suited up ahead of him on the depth chart. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Drew White, Jordan Genmark Heath, and others all have playing time ahead of Jack at the linebacker position. He could be implemented in a scheme with Rover, Mike, and Will linebackers, However, we just don’t know yet. With really no spring practice, it was tough to see who could stand out from the players that haven’t played much or at all. Jack could get into the fray, but it might take him some more time.