Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/109499
"When he left that meeting, he made it clear to me that this was the place he wanted to be," head coach Brian Kelly said. "That's looking at great competition and saying, 'I don't care about that. I'm going to come to Notre Dame because it's the right place for me academically, and it's the right place for me because I'm going to be the starter here at Notre Dame.' We love guys that have that attitude." Zaire said competition is inevitable at any topflight program, and the best way to respect your teammates is by challenging them. "I'm not going to head hunt for positions," Zaire said. "I'm going in there to make [Golson] as uncomfortable as I can. I want to be competitive day in and day out because I think the more I can make him uncomfortable, the more he can make me uncomfortable, the better it will be for the team." A two-time 1,000-yard rusher at Archbishop Alter in Kettering, Ohio, Zaire showcased his passing skills last sum- mer at the Elite 11 Quarterback Camp. Among 25 prospects, he made the final 11 with his passing and finished No. 7 overall. Quite noteworthy for someone who was 0-of-7 passing in his final game as a junior while running a triple-option attack. Although often linked athletically to fellow sixfoot, dual-threat southpaw Michael Vick of the NFL, Zaire will first need to "spread" his wings while learning and maybe becoming another quarterback option at Notre Dame. ✦