Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire had been expected to transfer to either Wisconsin or North Carolina to finish his college career, but Baylor has reportedly tossed its hat into the ring.
Baylor, which recently hired Matt Rhule as its new head coach, wants to bring Zaire to Waco as the rebuilding process begins for the Bears, according to the South Bend Tribune.
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After analyzing the three programs, Baylor may be Zaire’s best chance to enter 2017 as a starter.
Wisconsin QB Alex Hornibrook will be a redshirt sophomore. Although his 2016 stats aren't eye-popping (1,243 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions), he did take the Badgers to the Big Ten title game and a berth in the Cotton Bowl.
If North Carolina QB Mitch Trubisky, a junior, declares for the NFL Draft, the starting job will be up for grabs in Chapel Hill. However, the Tar Heels have four freshman signal-callers (two redshirt) ready to compete in the offseason.
Then there’s Baylor, which has zero QB recruits currently committed in the 2017 class.
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Seth Russell will not return to the program after another season ended by injury, which leaves freshman Zach Smith as next season’s favorite to start. Smith, who started Baylor’s final three games, passed for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns with six interceptions in nine games.
Yes, the Baylor situation is still a bit messy. But for Zaire, it may be the best landing spot if he wants to make the most of his final year of eligibility.