SIGNED: LB Jack Kiser

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Royal Center (Ind.) Pioneer linebacker Jack Kiser has submitted his National Letter of Intent to Notre Dame.

Rivals: 3.0 stars (No. 15 player in Indiana)
BGI Grade: 3.5
Upside Grade: 4.0

SENIOR SEASON: 159 tackles and seven interceptions on defense, 1,183 yards and 18 touchdowns passing, and 2,109 yards and 44 touchdowns rushing.
JUNIOR SEASON: Registered 100 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and eight interceptions while helping Pioneer to a Class A state title. Added 1,193 yards and 16 touchdowns as a passer, and 1,964 yards and 38 touchdowns on the ground.
SOPHOMORE SEASON: Collected 99 tackles, 4.5 stops for loss and five interceptions defensively as a sophomore. Also threw for 1,362 yards and 25 touchdowns, while rushing for 1,678 yards and 35 touchdowns.
FRESHMAN SEASON: During freshman season, recorded 66 stops while putting up 1,613 yards and 22 touchdowns as a rusher.

• 2018 Indiana Mr. Football.
• 2018 Indiana Mr. Football Quarterback.
• Indiana Football Coaches Association Top 50 All-State 2018 Selection (all classes).
• Named to All-USA Indiana second team as a defensive back in 2017 by USA Today High School Sports.
• Selected to Indiana Class A first team at defensive back by the Associated Press.
• Back-to-back Pharos-Tribune's Loganland Offensive Player of the Year (2016-17).

Kiser was a frequent visitor to South Bend in 2017, taking in three games during the fall (Temple, Georgia and USC) before following it up with another trip this past March for the program’s Junior Day.

Following the March visit, Kiser told BGI that the Irish staff wanted to see him more in person before extending an offer so a camp date seemed likely. But Irish defensive coordinator Clark Lea made his way down to Pioneer to watch the in-state product in May, and Notre Dame didn’t wait long to enter the mix for the junior.

Though the Irish offered much later compared to other programs on his list, Kiser had no issues with the staff being thorough in its evaluation.

Kiser made a trip back up to Notre Dame after receiving the offer, and the visit cleared up the final questions Kiser had to know South Bend was where he would call home the next several years.

The in-state product picked the Irish over Purdue and Iowa June 12, using colored smoke to announce his decision. He also held offers from Michigan State, Nebraska, Duke and Indiana.

• Kiser's father, Aaron, was part of the track program at Purdue.
• His older brother Bryce played football at Illinois State, while his older sister Madison runs cross country at Louisville.
• Is the third player to win Indiana Mr. Football and then sign with Notre Dame (joining linebacker Jaylon Smith in 2012 and quarterback Gunner Kiel in 2011).
• Is the No. 2 all-time scorer in Indiana high school football history (920 points).
• Is the No. 4 all-time rusher in state history (7,364 yards).
• Carries a 4.0 GPA and is set to be Pioneer’s class valedictorian
• Will enroll early at Notre Dame.

Could be like fellow Indiana native Paul Moala, who earned a role on special teams as a true freshman. Will need time to develop as a linebacker.

It is easy to see why Kiser doesn’t rank as high as other players in the class. He comes from a small school, he hasn’t been on the camp circuit and he doesn’t have a frame that jumps out at you. There is a lot of developmental work needed, but when you dive into the film it is also just as easy to see why Notre Dame felt good enough about to him add him to the class early.

Kiser lacks the measurables many look for, but he’s a really talented and productive football player. Over the last two seasons, he racked up 4,073 yards and 82 touchdowns on the ground, registered 259 tackles and picked off 15 passes.

His feel for the game is outstanding on both sides of the ball. Kiser is a fluid and athletic player with quick feet, top-level body control and easy change of direction skills. Everything he does looks easy, and if he can add some explosiveness as he physically matures that will only add to his skill set.

Physically, raw speed and explosiveness are the traits he is missing in regards to being a four-star recruit. He has the body and potential to get there, but it will take a little bit of time. Kiser plays quarterback and safety in high school, so learning the nuances of linebacker play is a must. He shows good run-pass recognition, flows to the ball well and is a good form tackler, but he needs to use his hands better to get off blocks and he has to get stronger.

Kiser is outstanding in coverage, which combined with his range and change of direction could project him to the rover position, but his overall skill set right now projects at Buck as well. That versatility adds to the intangibles he brings to the class.

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