Notre Dame Football: Has Tommy Rees Arrest Made It a 2-Man QB Battle?

One night of partying for Tommy Rees ultimately altered the trajectory of the Notre Dame football program.

Rees was arrested in the early morning hours of May 3 and subsequently charged with consumption of alcohol by a minor, public intoxication, resisting arrest and battery of a law enforcement official. Each of the charges have been filed as misdemeanors.

Rees should realize that a fifth charge should be included, though. That would be the loss of his chance of ever being named Notre Dame's starting quarterback for the remainder of his career under the golden dome.

Some may challenge that notion with a precedent set by former wide receiver Michael Floyd last summer, but the charges levied against the current member of the Arizona Cardinals were nowhere near as severe as those levied against Rees.

While operating a vehicle while intoxicated is no petty crime, it simply can not compare to Rees' behavior.

According to the official police report in Rees' case, the incumbent starting quarterback chose to evade police, and when apprehended, struck an officer in the abdomen with his knee. That right there is the nail in the coffin on Rees' football career at Notre Dame.

It's truly fascinating to think that one momentary action has moved the Fighting Irish offense into uncharted waters. Andrew Hendrix and Everett Golson will now be counted upon to lead the offense.

Brian Kelly would be a fool to even consider Rees for the starting job, given the current circumstances. Truth be told, Kelly would have been just as foolish to name Rees the starter had the junior not been arrested.

Yes, Rees boasts a higher level of understanding of the offense, but his limited physical skills and poor decision-making offset his grasp of the X's and O's. That was evident following Notre Dame's loss to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl and had the fanbase clamoring for Golson and/or Hendrix to be given a fair opportunity.

Kelly likely would not have taken that leap of faith prior to Rees' arrest, but now, the third-year head coach is being forced to. That may not be such a bad thing, though.

Sure, both Hendrix and Golson will suffer through the expected growing pains that come along with being a first-year starter, but both quarterbacks possess physical tools that far outmatch those of Rees. Each has the ability to escape for first downs should the play break down, something Rees was simply never able to accomplish.

But the question here is which direction Kelly will choose to go. Will he employ a two-quarterback system? Or will he invest his faith in one quarterback?

Based on historical trends, Kelly ought to choose one. Since the inception of the BCS in 1998, 13 of the 14 national championship offenses have been lead by an outright starting quarterback. The exception is the 2006 Florida Gators, who played both Tim Tebow and Chris Leak.

Based on that evidence, it's clear that it's time for Brian Kelly choose one guy. 

The trajectory of the program depends on it.