Notre Dame Football: Why Tommy Rees Is the Right Choice at Quarterback

With Brian Kelly having named Tommy Rees as the starting quarterback for Saturday’s game at Michigan, the other quarterbacks might want to prepare themselves for a season spent on the bench.

You’re probably wondering what makes me so confident in Rees’ ability to lead the Irish to victory not just against Michigan, but against the other 10 teams remaining on the schedule.

I have a clear answer for you.

Tommy Rees has the “X-factor” found in all championship-caliber quarterbacks. To say he’s a cool customer is an understatement.

Take, for instance, Rees’ four starts to end last season after Dayne Crist went down with a torn patellar tendon.

While his numbers weren’t spectacular, Rees compiled a 4-0 record as the starter. And to think that an 18-year-old, true freshman quarterback won three of those four starts at Notre Dame Stadium, Yankee Stadium and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Notre Dame fans, as well as football fans in general, should not be surprised at how composed Tommy Rees is as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback.

Rees’ father is a football lifer, having spent 17 years as an assistant for UCLA and Northwestern, and later in the NFL.

Because of his father’s career, Tommy spent a lot of time as a kid around big-time football programs, players and coaches.

Those experiences have helped mold him into the successful player that he is today. They have also formed the calm, yet confident demeanor Rees has on the field.

The 6’2”, 215-pound Rees doesn’t have the size, speed or strength of, say, Dayne Crist, but he certainly has the mental toughness to get the job done.

If you’re still doubting me, just take a look at what Tommy Rees did after taking over at quarterback after halftime last Saturday.

He completed 24 of 34 pass attempts for 296 yards to along with two touchdowns and two interceptions, one of which bounced off T.J. Jones’ shoulder pads.

Those figures are astounding for only one half of play.

Tommy Rees will be ready to play against Michigan. He’ll be ready to win too.