Linebacker Jack Kiser is the perfect example for what it means to be a “Notre Dame man”, excelling both on and off the field
Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser has left quite an impact on the Irish program in his six years in South Bend. Outside of being a nice producer on the defensive side of the football, Kiser has been even more impressive off of the field. That includes his most recent honor, being named to the AllState […]
Notre Dame linebacker Jack Kiser has left quite an impact on the Irish program in his six years in South Bend. Outside of being a nice producer on the defensive side of the football, Kiser has been even more impressive off of the field. That includes his most recent honor, being named to the AllState AFCA Good Works team.
If you haven’t followed Kiser’s college career, you have probably missed his 210 career tackles, 12 tackles for loss, four sacks, four interceptions and four forced fumbles. He has accomplished a lot in the blue and gold. This most recent honor might be his biggest so far, showing just how special of a young man he is.
“This is my sixth year, and it's funny talking with my family,” Kiser told Irish Breakdown. “I just turned 24 years old and I spent a quarter of my life here at Notre Dame, which is pretty crazy and the rest of it was just an hour away and down South. I’m definitely an Indiana kid but it means a lot just seeing the kind of journey I've been and had.
“I have experienced and allowed other people to experience it with me, whether that's my friends, and my family,” he continued. “It’s been really special because Notre Dame is held on a pedestal here in Indiana. It’s a community that I grew up in. It didn't really seem attainable to many people at all.”
Kiser is going to enjoy this honor, but his focus remains on the rest of the season. As a productive player, and a pretty talented athlete, there’s a chance that Kiser can continue playing football after this season on the professional level. Still, he isn’t taking the next couple of months for granted. Kiser intends to get the most out of it.
“Being able to come here and play on the biggest stage and play on NBC and primetime games against Texas A&M, Florida State,” explained Kiser. “It really is a big deal.
“I'm very proud of having that Indiana background and rep in Indiana here at Notre Dame, but it's very surreal going in the last seven games and hopefully a playoff run. The days are slowly going by, and you're trying to make the most of everything. So whether that's the last time you have a home opener, the last first game of the season. It’s been very rewarding and special.”
When you talk about a Notre Dame man, Kiser is the perfect example. He has continuously put the team and his community above himself. This latest honor exemplifies that. While he has been an underrated member of the Irish squad the last few years, others are clearly taking notice.
In a lot of ways, Kiser is the perfect representative of this community. He’s an Indiana kid in every way, and one of the truly cool stories for this Notre Dame program for recent years. An underrated local recruit, who did everything the right way.
