Malik Zaire to Florida is official per Bruce Feldman

Submitted by DomIngerson on
Per Bruce Feldman's Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/brucefeldman/posts/966557096780052 "Former Notre Dame QB Malik Zaire told me that he plans to arrive in Gainesville on Wednesday to get settled with his new team the Florida Gators. The left-handed grad transfer who threw six TDs and zero INTs in his career at ND is expected to battle for the UF starting job. The 6-0, 220-pound Zaire said he’s very excited about the opportunity at Florida and for the chance to face the caliber of competition he will see in the SEC. “I am going to embrace that challenge and I’m very eager to get down there," Zaire said Saturday, adding that he is considering studying journalism while at Florida. At the SEC spring meetings on Friday the league’s graduate transfer rule was amended (from a three-year ban to one-year stemming from previous transfers failing to meet academic requirements at UF.) That paved the way for Zaire to join the Gators. The Ohio native has spent much of the past five months in Arizona training with private QB coach Dennis Gile refining his mechanics with an emphasis on becoming more consistent, Zaire said. Zaire's trip to Gainesville this week will be the first time he’s ever been to UF."
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CriticalFan

June 4th, 2017 at 1:54 PM ^

Article states Zaire was in Arizona for a few months with a QB guru, thus not at ND during winter or spring semester. If he planned to transfer during 4-8... Is anyone sure when the last time he attended a class was?

Joined: 10/14/2009

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Mongo

June 4th, 2017 at 11:06 AM ^

this is good news for an unsettled week 1 Gator offense. It might work and settle out later in the season, I am thinking Jake's experience in week 1 vs Utah ... then improvement. But not sure Zaire is the answer in the SEC, though, he is just so short - it is a gift to call him 6ft tall. Good athlete but he would always need to scramble to an open spot along the line to spot a receiver, that physical limit is what created his inconsistency because he has a good arm just can't be a pocket passer given he is so dang short.

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EastCoast Esq.

June 4th, 2017 at 11:58 AM ^

New SEC rule was meant to punish Ole Miss for fuckery under the guise of academic integrity. Oh wait, a traditional power gets hurt by the rule? Time for an amendment!

Joined: 07/16/2012

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WolverineHistorian

June 4th, 2017 at 12:29 PM ^

I haven't looked up his stats but as someone who despises Notre Dame (to probably an unhealthy level) I do remember being really annoyed at how good he looked before he blew out his leg (or knee?) against Virginia. I'd like to believe he'll be like Rudock against Utah but the pessimist in me thinks he'll look better.

Joined: 08/10/2009

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BigBirdBlue

June 4th, 2017 at 12:38 PM ^

It's also official he is going to be spending alot of time picking himself off Jerry world's field turf the 1st game of his Florida career.  Go Blue!

Joined: 05/17/2016

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bacon

June 4th, 2017 at 1:02 PM ^

Sounds good to me. He didn't play that much on a 4-8 team ND team. Maybe he'll play more on Florida, but I'm not sure I'd want him as my starting qb against a fierce, aggressive Michigan defense in a neutral site game.

Joined: 01/04/2009

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Ty Butterfield

June 4th, 2017 at 7:29 PM ^

I think it is foolish to totally dismiss the fact that Zaire could be a difference maker. Still, I would much rather see him in game one than later in the season.

Joined: 09/07/2009

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BakkerUSMC

June 5th, 2017 at 6:52 AM ^

It just occurred to me that if he's a lefty QB, his blindside would be towards Rashan and Hurst... that bodes poorly for a QB in his first game after a few months of prep with a whole new offense

Joined: 10/04/2016

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