Gunner Kiel to LSU: How the Decision Affects Notre Dame Football

After a long, drawn-out recruiting process, the nation's highest-rated quarterback, Gunner Kiel, has verbally committed to LSU.

The 6'4", 220-pound quarterback from Columbus, Ind., originally committed to Indiana University, but rescinded his pledge to the Hoosiers in October.

Kiel then opened up his recruiting, before narrowing his options to LSU, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt.

While Fighting Irish fans may be shocked and angered by Kiel's decision, it may be a benefit in the long run.

Gunner Kiel has been labeled by every major recruiting service as a pro-style quarterback, a type of player that will struggle to fit into Brian Kelly's offense. Just take a look at how Tommy Rees has fared this season.

It's common knowledge that Brian Kelly's offense is at its best when operated by a true dual-threat quarterback, such as Andrew Hendrix.

Now that Kiel has declined to attend Notre Dame, it gives the Fighting Irish a better chance at locking up Devin Fuller of Old Tappan High School in Old Tappan, N.J.

Fuller is labeled as an athlete by recruiting website Rivals.com.

That's great news for the Irish, as the team can always use another dangerous quarterback prospect. Fuller's stat line from his junior season in 2010 says it all: 2,306 rushing yards, 32 rushing touchdowns, 1,844 passing yards and 20 passing touchdowns. 

If that's not the sign of a Brian Kelly-type quarterback, I don't know what is.

The moral of the story is for Notre Dame fans to stop worrying about missing out on Gunner Kiel. He may not have been a great fit in the offense, and his decision gives the Irish an even better chance at locking up Devin Fuller.

Just another wild day in the world that is college football recruiting.