Notre Dame 2012 Recruiting: Does Gunner Kiel Favor Irish?

Regarded as perhaps maybe the best pure-pocket pro-style QB in the country, Gunner Kiel of Indiana is a fantastic quarterback prospect that has a line of suitors for his services.

At 6'4", 220 pounds, Kiel has the size and arm that college QB coaches and offensive coordinators drool over. He can see over the rush, dictate his own throwing lanes and zip the ball out with the best in the nation.

Kiel, who tossed for over 2,700 yards with a 36-6 touchdown-interception ratio, also have very solid mechanics, a quick set up, balance, and the awareness to point his front shoulder to each of his targets along the field.

He shows a quick release to get the football to his receivers, accurately and in rhythm. Kiel has good presence and a feel for the rush in the pocket in his overall game too.

However, the best trait a signal caller can have is leadership, and Kiel told Rivals.com, "I see myself as a great leader, I put people in front of me. I put the team before myself. That goes along with anyone. I like to do stuff for other people. On the field, it doesn't really matter."

"I can throw the ball just as well as I can run it. But when it comes down to it that's not something that's really important. That's just being a great leader and a great person on and off the field."

One of the college programs that feels the same way as I—and many others—do about Kiel is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. And what makes the Irish' affection for Kiel so significant is the fact that his uncle, Blair, was a four-year starting QB for the Golden Domers in early 80's.

Tim Hinton, who is the running backs coach for Notre Dame and trusted assistant of head coach Brian Kelly, offered Kiel a full scholarship on signing day this past February.

"Notre Dame has a strong tradition," he told Rivals. "They've always had a great team. They've always had a winning program. But their education is huge. It's really hard to get into a school like Notre Dame grades-wise. They have a great education and they have great people there. I wanna surround myself with great people."

With a strong education through the academic portion of the university, the mystique and alluring football tradition, and the fact that his uncle was a four-year starter at the same position as him, one has to put Notre Dame among the top possible destinations for Kiel.

Kiel, who wants to make his decision this summer, has offers from the likes of Oklahoma, Tennessee, Michigan, Georgia and USC among many, many others.

But as it sits right now, there could be a chance Irish eyes are beaming from landing a Gunner at the QB position in 2012.