Malik Zaire‘s career at Notre Dame started with a bang, and it will end with a thud.
Zaire led Notre Dame to an unexpected win over LSU in the 2014 Music City Bowl -- Zaire was named MVP of that game -- and posted Heisman-like numbers in his 2015 debut against Texas and Virginia, but an ankle injury derailed his career and he never recovered.
Zaire won the starting job to start this season but ceded control to DeShone Kizer in the second half of the Irish’s opening-night loss at Texas and never wrestled it back.
And now, according to a report from Irish Illustrated, Zaire is set to leave.
The site reports that Zaire will meet with Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly on Wednesday morning, at which time he’s expected to receive his release from the school. A graduate transfer, Irish Illustrated lists Florida, Pittsburgh, Michigan State and Wisconsin as possible destinations.
The timing of the report is interesting with DeShone Kizer listed as a possible first-round pick by some mock drafts. Kizer has not formally entered the draft, though.
Zaire finishes his Notre Dame career completing 58-of-98 passes for 816 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions while rushing 72 times for 324 yards and two touchdowns.