SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The four-way competition to become Notre Dame’s starting quarterback is just getting started — and it could be a long haul.
The Fighting Irish have three days of spring practices done, and only one in full pads.
Coach Brian Kelly has made it clear that all four players — junior Tommy Rees, sophomores Andrew Hendrix and Everett Golson and freshman Gunner Kiel — will have an equal opportunity at earning the start when the Fighting Irish open their season Sept. 1 against Navy in Dublin, Ireland.
Kelly is in no hurry to make a decision.
He simplified the playbook this spring to level the playing field for the younger quarterbacks still learning the system. Of the four quarterbacks competing, only Rees and Hendrix have taken snaps in a game for the Irish.
Rees started 12 of 13 games last season, but threw 14 interceptions and lost five fumbles in an 8-5 season. Only five players returning on the offensive side have started more than the 16 games Rees has started in his Irish career, but the junior has accepted the competition.
“I think it’s an open competition, but you want to compete and you want to have that mentality that you’re going to take over the job,” Rees said. “So I think there’s definitely a competitive attitude, but you understand that the decision is going to be made for whatever’s best for the team. It’s just something you’ve got to go out and do and compete.”
Hendrix’s role increased in Notre Dame’s final two games against Stanford and Florida State last season and brings mobility to the position. Hendrix was 18 for 37 for 249 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. He also ran for 162 yards on 25 carries for 1 touchdown.
Sports, Pages 27 on 03/25/2012