Report: Malik Zaire granted release from Notre Dame with restrictions

As expected, former Alter High School star Malik Zaire was granted release from his scholarship at Notre Dame according to a report from ESPN.

The left-handed quarterback, who is on pace to graduate in December, told ESPN he is not allowed to transfer to any of the teams on the Fighting Irish’s 2017 schedule with the exception of North Carolina.

That means Miami University and Miami (Fla.), Michigan State, Temple, Georgia, Boston College, USC, N.C. State, Wake Forest, Navy and Stanford are out.

As a graduate transfer, Zaire won’t have to sit out a year before becoming eligible.

That is fortunate for the fourth-year collegian, who redshirted at Notre Dame in 2013 and missed most of last season with a broken ankle.

Coach Brian Kelly said he planned to play both Zaire and Deshone Kizer in 2016, but that fell by the wayside after Kizer got off to a hot start to the season and Zaire struggled in limited opportunities.

Zaire ultimately saw action in eight games in 2016, running for 34 yards and completing 11 of 23 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown.

Kelly’s (or school administrators’) decision to limit Zaire’s transfer choices, which have been reported to include MSU, Florida, Pitt and Wisconsin, could renew discussions about whether or not schools and/or coaches should hold such power over athletes who intend to transfer.

About the Author