Gunner Kiel: Redshirting Prized QB Is Right Move for Notre Dame

Let's all do ourselves a favor and not debate whether or not Gunner Kiel should or shouldn't be at Notre Dame. All that matters is that he's there and that what's done can't be undone.

Check that; what's done can't be undone for a third time.

All that matters now is exactly how Kiel fits into the Fighting Irish's plans, and that's an entirely different debate. The Irish have Kiel, but it's not yet clear how he fits into the mix. Brian Kelly could choose to put Kiel on the active roster, and he could even choose to start him right away in 2012 if he's so inclined.

He should do neither. There are several choices, but there's only one right choice, and that's for Kelly to redshirt Kiel.

Unfortunately for Kiel, there's just no place for him on the roster right away. The Irish already have three quarterbacks, and all three of them deserve to be above Kiel on the pecking order.

Right now, Tommy Rees is the starter until further notice. He saw a lot of action in 2010 and got the bulk of the starts under center for Notre Dame in 2011. He has more experience than any quarterback in Kelly's stable, and it's not even close.

Rees is nothing special, of course. He'll make a great play on occasion, but he's as turnover-prone as they come. As a total package, he's no difference-maker, and he's sure as hell no savior.

Because of that, Andrew Hendrix has a legit shot to make a difference in 2012. He saw some action at the end of the 2011 season and performed pretty well given the circumstances. Let's not forget that Hendrix was the No. 13 quarterback in the country in 2010, according to Rivals.com, so it's not like Hendrix is some kind of bench-warming scrub. The dude has a high ceiling.

The intriguing question is whether or not Hendrix's ceiling is higher than Everett Golson's. He redshirted in 2011, but he'll be ready for action in 2012. He brings a different set of skills to the table than Rees and Hendrix, and I for one wouldn't be at all surprised if Kelly determined he's better off with Golson's skills than he is with Rees' or Hendrix's. Golson could very well earn the right to be Kelly's starter.

No matter which of the three Kelly picks, the truth of the matter is that they are the only three Kelly should be considering. They've earned the right to play.

Kiel hasn't. He may be the No. 1 quarterback recruit in the country, but that doesn't mean he's more fit to start in 2012 than three guys who have been in South Bend much longer than he has. His potential is limitless, but he needs a little grooming.

Redshirting Kiel is not going to be easy; make no mistake about that. But Kelly needs to think about the future, and the future involves Kiel being his starting quarterback. If Kelly plays his cards right, he'll have the best starting quarterback the Irish have had in years.

Yes, better than Brady Quinn and Jimmy Clausen.

There's just no need to rush it. Kelly can play with the toys he has before busting out the shiny new one.