Insider: Why Brian Kelly believes Brandon Wimbush is ready for first start
Laken Litman / IndyStar
SOUTH BEND – Brian Kelly has only had positive things to say about his first-year starting quarterback. Since Brandon Wimbush officially became Notre Dame’s No. 1 guy this spring, he’s been endorsed by everyone from Kelly to former quarterback DeShone Kizer to position coach Tom Rees and offensive coordinator Chip Long. Everyone.
They said he “runs that offense like he’s been running it for years.” Once he takes his first snap against Temple, he’ll look like a “3-4 year veteran.” And he can make “all the throws.”
Well, the opener against the Owls is this Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC) and now everyone will finally be able to see just what the Irish have at quarterback.
• MORE: Best- and worst-case scenarios for Irish in 2017
It’s a tremendous challenge, being the starting quarterback at Notre Dame, but one that doesn’t intimidate Wimbush. Those inside the program say he carries himself with the right kind of demeanor and don’t think the stage will be too big for him. Tuesday, just four days before Wimbush takes his first starting snap, Kelly listed another characteristic to emphasize why he believes the junior is ready.
“I think really where it starts for most quarterbacks that I have coached is their ability to move through a poor play and get to the next play,” Kelly said. “Let it go and…