UPDATED: Notre Dame football recruiting: QB Kizer commits to Irish

DeShone Kizer had waited a long time for a Notre Dame offer.

After one came last week, he didn't wait long to take advantage of it.

Six days after the Irish coaching staff extended a scholarship offer to the 6-foot-4, 215-pound quarterback from Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic, the rising senior chose to commit to Notre Dame.

Kizer visited the South Bend campus on Sunday and was won over by everything the school had to offer.

"The fact that I can go to a school that is that prestigious and has the winning tradition that they do and the level of football that they play at, there's no better place for me to be," Kizer said after committing Tuesday.

Sunday's visit at Notre Dame blew Kizer away. He and his family met with head coach Brian Kelly for an hour before Kelly led them on a tour of the football facilities. The message Kelly was sharing and his willingness to give the tour really impressed Kizer.

"He went out of his way to show my family around and start a great relationship," Kizer said. "I believe that was one of the key factors on why we decided to go there. The coaching staff, my parents are more than comfortable sending me away to a group of guys that will help me exceed my potential both on and off the field."

The Irish started to envision Kizer as a potential fit in Kelly's spread offense over the past few weeks. Kizer and quarterbacks coach Chuck Martin have been speaking almost once every other day for the past three weeks.

"We've gotten to know each other really well," Kizer said. "We've only had a short amount of time, but within this amount of time, we've been able to learn that we're alike. We're really straightforward guys. He tells me like it is and I tell him like it is. I know that as long as we're honest and straightforward with each other, that he's going to make me into the best quarterback I can possibly be."

Kizer's commitment ended a streak of bad news and uncertainty at quarterback for Notre Dame. The delayed offer to Kizer came shortly after targeted quarterback Kyle Allen committed to Texas A&M.

The need for a quarterback in the 2014 recruiting class for the Irish increased following Gunner Kiel's transfer to Cincinnati following his freshman season. More quarterback intrigue was added last month when returning starter Everett Golson was suspended from Notre Dame for the 2013 fall semester.

The Irish then targeted Kizer, but the newly committed quarterback said the coaching staff could also recruit another player at the position, though he anticipates that player would not be a highly-touted recruit.

"Once I'm there we'll see how things play out with who stays and who goes, how many guys are there and how many aren't there," Kizer said. "I'm just going to try to be the best quarterback I can possibly be to have the opportunity to compete and play for another national championship."

Kizer's affinity to Notre Dame led him to canceling a planned visit to LSU on Friday. The Tigers were the presumed favorites before Notre Dame's offer, with Alabama, Tennessee and Michigan State also impressing Kizer.

The four-star quarterback, who ranks as the No. 6 dual-threat quarterback on 247Sports.com and No. 8 on Rivals.com, becomes the 11th prospect to verbally commit to Notre Dame's 2014 recruiting class. The Irish class ranks No. 4 in the country according to Rivals and No. 4 according to 247Sports.

Kizer will compete as one of 18 finalists in the Elite 11 national quarterback competition during Nike's The Opening from June 30 to July 3. The last three quarterbacks to sign with Notre Dame - Malik Zaire, Kiel and Golson - were also Elite 11 finalists.

Watch highlights of Kizer here.

Florida visitors on campus

A pair of high school teammates with Notre Dame offers are scheduled to visit campus Wednesday -- defensive back Quincy Wilson and linebacker Richard Yeargin of University School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Wilson (6-2, 198) ranks as a four-star prospect on Rivals as the No. 10 cornerback and No. 150 overall. 247Sports slates Wilson as the three-star prospect and the No. 62 safety.

Yeargin (6-4, 225) ranks as a four-star prospect slated as the No. 17 outside linebacker by Rivals and No. 28 by 247Sports.

Staff writer Tyler James:

tjames1@sbtinfo.com

574-235-6214