When former Notre Dame quarterback Gunner Kiel visited Cincinnati late last month, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the Bearcats felt like they had a good chance of landing the ex-blue-chip recruit. Turns out, that feeling was justified.
Per ESPN’s Joe Schad, Kiel will transfer to Cincy and compete to start in 2014. The Bearcats have two senior QBs this year -- Munchie Legeaux and Brendon Kay -- who started games last year. According to Schad, “Kiel has developed a good relationship with Cincinnati offensive coordinator Eddie Gran and quarterbacks coach Darrin Hinshaw, who he had known.”
Cincinnati has not commented on the report as of yet, but Kiel did say the following to Schad:
“Cincinnati was the best fit for me because the relationship I have with coach (Darin) Hinshaw is like nothing else. He is a great overall person and is someone I know I can get coached by the group of guys I’m going to be around is second to none. I love where (Cincinnati) is heading and the future is bright.”
The Bearcats will begin 2013 with new coach Tommy Tuberville.
Kiel left Notre Dame after one year when he failed to get on the field.
Among the other schools reportedly interested in Kiel were Tennessee, Ole Miss and Mississippi State, and MAC schools Ball State, Miami (Ohio) and Northern Illinois.