“Imagine taking Brady’s intellect and putting it on a guy with Cam Newton’s body”: When DeShone Kizer made bold comparisons to TB12 & Patrick Mahomes

It could be seen as confidence by some and cockiness by others, but DeShone Kizer saw no one else like him during his day at Notre Dame. Kizer played for the Fighting Irish from 2014 to 2016, acting as the starting quarterback in his sophomore and junior seasons, which earned him several offers before committing to Notre Dame.

In an interview with Tom Pelissero a week ahead of the 2017 NFL draft, DeShone Kizer described himself using two great NFL quarterbacks:

“I do have the ability to be the greatest quarterback to ever play. Imagine taking Brady’s intellect and Brady’s preparation and putting it on a guy with Cam Newton’s body. Why can’t I be the greatest? The only thing stopping me from it is me. That’s what’s driving me now.”

Kizer had a noteworthy career at South Bend. In his two seasons playing as a starter, he threw for 5,805 yards and 47 touchdowns. He also rushed for 997 yards and 18 touchdowns. However, his time in the big leagues lasted only a few years, as he lost all 15 of his starts in the NFL.

DeShone Kizer believed he edged out Patrick Mahomes

Following his amazing college football career at Texas Tech, Patrick Mahomes was seen as one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2017 NFL draft. However, DeShone Kizer believed he edged him out in many areas of the game.

“Pat Mahomes might throw the ball 80 yards and I can only throw the ball 72, but I guarantee he can’t throw an out route the way I can," Kizer told Pelissero. "No one else can do what I can do. And I’ve truly figured out in this process, if I can maximize all my potential in every aspect of the game.”

Mahomes was selected as the 10th overall pick in the draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. Kizer, on the other hand, was a second-round pick, selected 52nd overall by the Cleveland Browns.

DeShone Kizer saw no one else like him in the draft

Ahead of the 2017 NFL draft, DeShone Kizer was vocal about being the best. He outlined different areas of the game where he believed no one else compared while speaking with Tom Pelissero.

“Name a college quarterback who goes into the game-plan meetings on Monday and throws his notes at the coaches,” Kizer said. “No one else game plans the way I do. No one else prepares the way I do. No one else knows football the way I do. No one else is as big as I am. No one else is as powerful a runner as I am.”

Kizer’s NFL career hasn't gone so well. He was named starter for the Cleveland Browns as a rookie, but his performance was one to forget. He threw for 2,984 yards and 11 touchdowns with a league-leading 22 interceptions.