DeShone Kizer had to wait a day to hear his name called at the NFL Draft in Philadelphia.
The former Notre Dame quarterback slipped out of Thursday’s first round, ultimately being taken No. 52 overall in Friday’s second round by the Cleveland Browns, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
Kizer made the unusual decision to attend the NFL Draft in Philadelphia despite very few analysts projecting him as a first round pick. He was one of five players in the green room Thursday who were not selected, joining CB Chidobe Awuzie (Colorado), CB Kevin King (Washington), DT Malik McDowell (Michigan State) and OT Cam Robinson (Alabama).
Kizer is the first Notre Dame quarterback to be drafted since Jimmy Clausen in 2010 (48th overall).
Kizer’s 2016 stat line (2,880 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and 525 yards rushing) was similar to his 2015 numbers (2,925 yards passing, 26 TDs, nine INTs, 472 yards rushing as a junior), but the Irish slogged to a 4-8 finish during Kizer’s junior year.
For a long time, Kizer — a native of Toledo, Ohio — was considered a first round selection, and perhaps the top quarterback in the draft. He watched as North Carolina's Mitch Trubisky went No. 2 overall to Chicago, Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes go No. 10 to the Chiefs and Clemson’s Deshaun Watson go No. 12 to the Texans in the first round, three teams that traded up to select QBs.
After a subpar performance at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, Kizer impressed during his March 23 pro day. He was more accurate during the workout on Notre Dame’s campus and my all accounts performed well in pre-draft interviews. While he possesses NFL measurable at 6-foot-4 and 233 pounds, most expect Kizer to need a year or two to learn an NFL offense.
Kizer is the 493rd Notre Dame player selected in the NFL Draft, the second-most of any school. Notre Dame has had a player selected in 79 of the 81 NFL Drafts (only misses were in 1937 and 1977). Oklahoma has also had a player chosen in 79 of 81 NFL Drafts.
Defensive linemen Jarron Jones and Isaac Rochell are also expected to be taken in later rounds of the draft.
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