DeShone Kizer
{{Short description|American football player (born 1996)}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = DeShone Kizer
| image = Deshone Kizer (35564885313) crop.jpg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Kizer with the Cleveland Browns in 2017
| number = 7, 9
| position = Quarterback
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|1|3}}
| birth_place = Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 235
| high_school = Central Catholic (Toledo)
| college = Notre Dame (2014–2016)
| draftyear = 2017
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 52
| pastteams =
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|2017}})
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|2018}})
- Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders ({{NFL Year|2019}}–{{NFL Year|2020}})
- Tennessee Titans ({{NFL Year|2020}}–{{NFL Year|2021}})*
| status =
| statvalue1 = 11–24
| statlabel2 = Passing yards
| statvalue2 = 3,081
| statlabel3 = Completion percentage
| statvalue3 = 53.1
| statlabel4 = Passer rating
| statvalue4 = 58.9
| statlabel5 = Rushing yards
| statvalue5 = 458
| statlabel6 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 5
| pfr = KizeDe00
}}
DeShone Allen Kizer ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|aɪ|z|ər}}; born January 3, 1996) is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. Kizer served as the Browns' starter during his rookie season, but his tenure lasted only one year after going winless and leading the league in interceptions. Traded to the Green Bay Packers, Kizer spent one season as a backup in 2018 and spent his last two seasons in backup roles with the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans.
Early life
Kizer attended Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Ohio.{{Cite web |last=Cabot |first=Mary Kay |date=September 9, 2017 |title=The raising of DeShone Kizer: From a kid who didn't fit in, to almost quitting at Notre Dame, to Browns starter |url=http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2017/09/the_raising_of_deshone_kizer_f.html |access-date=March 2, 2018 |website=The Plain Dealer}} Kizer was named the Associated Press Ohio Division III co-offensive player of the year as a senior in 2013.{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2013 |title=Kizer tops area AP Division III All-Ohio football team |url=http://www.toledoblade.com/HighSchool/2013/12/04/Kizer-tops-area-All-Ohio-list.html |access-date=December 11, 2013 |website=Toledo Blade}} A three-year starter, Kizer helped lead the Fighting Irish high school football team to a combined 34–6 overall record in 2011–13 (8–2 in playoff games), including a 14–1 record and Ohio Division II state title in 2012.{{Cite web |last=Popovich |first=Mike |date=December 1, 2012 |title=Toledo Central Catholic holds off defending champs in Division II to win state title |url=http://www.fridaynightohio.com/news/toledo-central-catholic-holds-defending-champs-division-ii-win-state-title |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208141705/http://www.fridaynightohio.com/news/toledo-central-catholic-holds-defending-champs-division-ii-win-state-title |archive-date=December 8, 2015 |access-date=December 20, 2012 |website=FridayNightOhio.com}}
In his career, Kizer's totals included 5,684 passing yards and 56 touchdowns to go with 1,211 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns.{{Cite web |last=Junga |first=Steve |date=November 28, 2013 |title=Kizer: most talented H.S. quarterback Toledo has produced |url=http://www.toledoblade.com/HighSchool/2013/11/28/Kizer-The-most-talented-H-S-quarterback-Toledo-has-produced.html |access-date=December 2, 2013 |website=Toledo Blade}}
Considered a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was rated as the ninth best dual-threat quarterback prospect of his class.{{Cite web |title=DeShone Kizer, 2014 Dual Threat Quarterback |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2014/deshone-kizer-9703 |access-date=January 12, 2015 |website=Rivals.com |language=en-US}} On June 11, 2013, Kizer announced his commitment to play college football at the University of Notre Dame for the Fighting Irish.{{Cite web |last=Junga |first=Steve |date=June 11, 2013 |title=Central Catholic quarterback DeShone Kizer commits to Notre Dame |url=http://www.toledoblade.com/HighSchool/2013/06/11/Central-Catholic-quarterback-DeShone-Kizer-commits-to-Notre-Dame.html |access-date=June 21, 2013 |website=Toledo Blade}}
{{College athlete recruit start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2015}}
{{College athlete recruit entry
| recruit = DeShone Kizer
| position = Dual-Threat QB
| hometown = Toledo, OH
| highschool = Central Catholic HS
| feet = 6
| inches = 4
| weight = 233
| commitdate = June 11, 2013
| scout stars = 4
| rivals stars = 4
| espn grade = 80
}}
{{College athlete recruit end
| year = 2015
| rivals ref title = Notre Dame Football Commitment List
| scout ref title = Notre Dame College Football Recruiting Commits
| espn ref title = ESPN
| rivals school = notredame
| scout s = 109
| espn schoolid = 78
| scout overall = 17 (QB), 2 (regional), 1 (OH), 263 (national)
| rivals overall = 9 (QB)
| espn overall = 16 (QB), 12 (OH)
| accessdate = December 27, 2015
| bball =
}}
College career
Kizer redshirted his first year at Notre Dame in 2014 behind quarterbacks Everett Golson and Malik Zaire.{{Cite web |last=Wieneke |first=Bob |date=October 24, 2014 |title=Notre Dame freshman DeShone Kizer learning as a backup quarterback |url=http://www.ndinsider.com/premium/football/notre-dame-freshman-deshone-kizer-learning-as-a-backup-quarterback/article_1600530a-5baf-11e4-8a0c-0017a43b2370.html |access-date=November 2, 2014 |website=Notre Dame Insider}}
Kizer started 2015 as a backup to Zaire. On September 5, in the season opener, he made his collegiate debut against Texas in relief of Zaire in the 38–3 victory.{{Cite web |title=Texas at Notre Dame Box Score, September 5, 2015 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2015-09-05-notre-dame.html |access-date=September 13, 2015 |website=Sports Reference}} During the second game of the season against Virginia, Kizer replaced an injured Zaire and helped lead Notre Dame to a victory. With 12 seconds left, Kizer completed a 39-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Will Fuller to give Notre Dame the lead.{{Cite web |last=Hale |first=David M. |date=September 12, 2015 |title=Backup QB leads Notre Dame to dramatic win over Virginia |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/85382/backup-qb-leads-notre-dame-to-dramatic-win-over-virginia |access-date=September 18, 2015 |website=ESPN.com}} After it was announced that Zaire would miss the rest of the season, Kizer was named the starter. On October 3, in a 24–22 loss to Clemson, he passed for a season-high 321 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception while having 15 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Notre Dame at Clemson Box Score, October 3, 2015 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2015-10-03-clemson.html |access-date=October 14, 2015 |website=Sports Reference}} Against Pitt, Kizer accounted for all six touchdowns (five passing and one rushing) helping Notre Dame to a 42–30 victory.{{Cite web |title=Notre Dame at Pitt Box Score, November 7, 2015 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2015-11-07-pittsburgh.html |access-date=November 10, 2015 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} On Halloween, in a 24–20 victory over Temple, he recorded 299 passing yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions, and had a stellar night on the ground, rushing for 143 yards and two touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=Notre Dame at Temple Box Score, October 31, 2015 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2015-10-31-temple.html |access-date=November 8, 2015 |website=Sports Reference}}
Kizer and the Fighting Irish finished the 2015 regular season with a 10–2 record.{{Cite web |title=2015 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2015-schedule.html |access-date=January 18, 2016 |website=Sports Reference}} On New Year's Day, the Fighting Irish closed out their 2015 season with a 44–28 loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl. In the loss, Kizer had 284 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception to go along with 21 rushing yards and a touchdown.{{Cite web |title=Fiesta Bowl – Notre Dame vs Ohio State Box Score, January 1, 2016 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2016-01-01-ohio-state.html |access-date=January 18, 2016 |website=Sports Reference}} Overall in 2015, Kizer finished his redshirt first year with 2,880 passing yards, 525 rushing yards, and 31 total touchdowns in 13 games.{{Cite web |title=DeShone Kizer 2015 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/deshone-kizer-1/gamelog/2015 |access-date=January 18, 2016 |website=Sports Reference}}
Kizer started off the 2016 season with 215 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, 77 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown in a double overtime 50–47 loss to Texas at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium.{{Cite web |title=Notre Dame at Texas Box Score, September 4, 2016 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2016-09-04-texas.html |access-date=September 5, 2016 |website=Sports Reference}} After a victory over Nevada, he had 344 passing yards and two touchdowns to go along with 14 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a 36–28 loss to Michigan State.{{Cite web |title=Nevada at Notre Dame Box Score, September 10, 2016 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2016-09-10-notre-dame.html |access-date=September 12, 2016 |website=Sports Reference}}{{Cite web |title=Michigan State at Notre Dame Box Score, September 17, 2016 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2016-09-17-notre-dame.html |access-date=September 19, 2016 |website=Sports Reference}} After a loss to Duke, Kizer had a career day through the air with 471 yards and three touchdowns in a 50–33 victory over Syracuse.{{Cite web |title=Syracuse vs Notre Dame Box Score, October 1, 2016 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2016-10-01-notre-dame.html |access-date=October 3, 2016 |website=Sports Reference}} He put together some solid performances over the rest of the season, but the team faltered and ended up with a 4–8 record.{{Cite web |title=2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/notre-dame/2016-schedule.html |access-date=March 2, 2018 |website=Sports Reference}} Kizer played 12 games with 2,925 passing yards, 472 rushing yards, and 34 total touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=DeShone Kizer 2016 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/deshone-kizer-1/gamelog/2016 |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=Sports Reference}} After the 2016 season, Kizer decided to forgo the remaining two years of eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Fortuna |first=Matt |date=December 12, 2016 |title=Notre Dame QB Kizer declaring for NFL draft |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/18263238/notre-dame-fighting-irish-qb-deshone-kizer-declaring-draft |access-date=January 18, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}
=College statistics=
| class=wikitable style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||||||||
| colspan="19" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Notre Dame Fighting Irish}};"| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"| Season
! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="9"| Passing ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | ||||||||||||||||||
| GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Fum | Lost | |
| 2014
| 0 || 0 || colspan="16"| Redshirt | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2015
| 13 || 11 || 210 || 334 || 62.9 || 2,880 || 8.6 || 81 || 21 || 10 || 150.1 || 135 || 525 || 3.9 || 79 || 10 || 5 || 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2016
| 12 || 12 || 212 || 361 || 58.7 || 2,925 || 8.1 || 79 || 26 || 9 || 145.6 || 129 || 472 || 3.7 || 70 || 8 || 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/deshone-kizer-1.html Total] | 25 | 23 | 422 | 695 | 60.7 | 5,805 | 8.4 | 81 | 47 | 19 | 147.7 | 264 | 997 | 3.8 | 79 | 18 | 5 | 2 |
Professional career
=Pre-draft=
Kizer received an invitation to the NFL Combine and completed all of the combine drills except for the bench press. He also performed positional drills, but had a disappointing performance. Kizer also participated at Notre Dame's Pro Day and only ran positional drills in front of team scouts and representatives, including San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley. Kizer completed 50/60 pass attempts and showed significantly better accuracy and footwork at his pro day. NFL draft experts and analysts projected Kizer to be a first or second round pick. He was ranked the second best quarterback in the draft by NFL analyst Bucky Brooks, the third best quarterback by NFLDraftScout.com and Sports Illustrated, and was ranked the fourth best quarterback by NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock.{{Cite magazine |last=Burke |first=Chris |date=April 25, 2017 |title=2017 NFL draft rankings: Top prospects by position |url=https://www.si.com/2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings |access-date=May 29, 2017 |magazine=Sports Illustrated}}{{Cite web |last=Legwold |first=Jeff |date=April 22, 2017 |title=Ranking the 2017 Draft's Top 100 Prospects |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2017/story/_/id/19180310/ranking-top-100-prospects-available-2017-nfl-draft-espn-nfl-nation-reporter-jeff-legwold |access-date=May 29, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |last=Brooks |first=Bucky |author-link=Bucky Brooks |date=April 25, 2017 |title=Bucky Brooks' top 5 2017 NFL Draft prospects by position 3.0 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/bucky-brooks-top-5-2017-nfl-draft-prospects-by-position-3-0-0ap3000000802450 |access-date=May 29, 2017 |publisher=National Football League}}{{Cite web |last=Mayock |first=Mike |author-link=Mike Mayock |date=April 12, 2017 |title=Mike Mayock's top 5 2017 NFL Draft prospects by position 3.0 |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/mike-mayock-s-2017-nfl-draft-position-rankings-3-0-0ap3000000799336 |access-date=May 29, 2017 |publisher=National Football League}}
{{nfl predraft
| height ft = 6
| height in = 4+1/4
| weight = 233
| dash = 4.83
| ten split = 1.72
| twenty split = 2.84
| shuttle = 4.53
| cone drill = 7.40
| vertical = 30+1/2
| broad ft = 8
| broad in = 11
| bench =
| arm span = 33+1/8
| hand span = 9+7/8
| note = All values from NFL Combine{{Cite web |title=NFL Draft Profile: DeShone Kizer |url=http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/deshone-kizer?id=2557983 |access-date=May 30, 2017 |website=NFL.com}}{{Cite web |title=*DeShone Kizer, DS No. 3 QB, Notre Same |url=http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=130841&draftyear=2017&genpos=QB |access-date=May 30, 2017 |website=nfldraftscout.com}}
}}
=Cleveland Browns=
File:DeShone Kizer vs. Giants 2017.jpg
The Cleveland Browns selected Kizer in the second round (52nd overall) of the 2017 NFL draft.{{Cite web |last=Wesseling |first=Chris |date=April 28, 2017 |title=Cleveland Browns select quarterback DeShone Kizer |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/cleveland-browns-select-quarterback-deshone-kizer-0ap3000000804222 |access-date=May 18, 2017 |website=NFL.com}} He was the fourth quarterback selected and first taken in the second round.{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/draft.htm |access-date=March 2, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
On June 14, 2017, the Browns signed Kizer to a four-year, $4.94 million contract that includes $2.42 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.73 million.{{Cite web |title=Spotrac.com: DeShone Kizer contract |url=http://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cleveland-browns/deshone-kizer-21793/ |access-date=June 15, 2017 |website=spotrac.com}}{{Cite web |last=Cabot |first=Mary Kay |date=June 14, 2017 |title=DeShone Kizer signs his 4-year rookie contract with the Browns worth about $4.9 million |url=http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2017/06/deshone_kizer_signs_his_4_year.html |access-date=June 15, 2017 |website=The Plain Dealer}} On August 27, 2017, following the team's third preseason game, the Browns named Kizer as the starting quarterback to begin the 2017 regular season, beating out veteran trade acquisition Brock Osweiler and second-year quarterbacks Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan.{{Cite web |last=Bergman |first=Jeremy |date=August 27, 2017 |title=DeShone Kizer named Browns starting quarterback |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/deshone-kizer-named-browns-starting-quarterback-0ap3000000835667 |access-date=September 4, 2017 |publisher=National Football League}}
Making his NFL debut on September 10, 2017, Kizer finished with 222 passing yards, a touchdown, and an interception to go along with 17 rushing yards and a one-yard touchdown, but the Browns lost by a score 21–18 at home to the Steelers.{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Gary |date=September 11, 2017 |title=Hue Jackson impressed with DeShone Kizer debut |url=https://www.fanragsports.com/news/hue-jackson-impressed-with-deshone-kizer-debut/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912012449/https://www.fanragsports.com/news/hue-jackson-impressed-with-deshone-kizer-debut/ |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=September 11, 2017 |website=Fanrag Sports Network}} He orchestrated a 12-play drive that ended after scoring on a one-yard touchdown run. Kizer's first career passing touchdown was a three-yard pass to wide receiver Corey Coleman in the fourth quarter.{{Cite web |last=McManamon |first=Pat |date=September 10, 2017 |title=DeShone Kizer provides hope, but not a win for Browns in opener |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/247687/deshone-kizer-provides-hope-but-not-a-win-for-browns-in-opener |access-date=September 10, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns – September 10th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201709100cle.htm |access-date=September 11, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} Kizer started the next four games for the Browns, which were all losses. During a Week 5 17–14 loss to the New York Jets, Kizer was benched in favor of Kevin Hogan to begin the third quarter after throwing for 87 yards and an interception in the first half.{{Cite web |title=New York Jets at Cleveland Browns – October 8th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201710080cle.htm |access-date=October 12, 2017 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} Hogan was later named the starter for the team's Week 6 matchup against the Houston Texans.{{Cite web |last=McManamon |first=Pat |date=October 11, 2017 |title=Kevin Hogan to replace DeShone Kizer as starting QB for Browns |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/20988568/kevin-hogan-replace-deshone-kizer-starting-qb-cleveland-browns |access-date=October 12, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}} After Hogan's struggles in Week 6, Kizer was renamed the starter for the Week 7.{{Cite web |last=Gribble |first=Andrew |date=October 18, 2017 |title=Browns QB DeShone Kizer back in starting role |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-QB-DeShone-Kizer-back-in-starting-role/3f2239db-db58-45cd-a53b-55aeaa0c894e |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527213416/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-QB-DeShone-Kizer-back-in-starting-role/3f2239db-db58-45cd-a53b-55aeaa0c894e |archive-date=May 27, 2018 |access-date=October 18, 2017 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}}
During a Week 7 12–9 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans, Kizer threw for 114 yards and two interceptions before being benched in favor of Cody Kessler in the third quarter.{{Cite web |last=McManamon |first=Pat |date=October 22, 2017 |title=DeShone Kizer benched again, questioned about late-night video |url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/21116050/cleveland-browns-qb-deshone-kizer-taken-two-interceptions |access-date=October 22, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}}{{Cite web |date=October 22, 2017 |title=Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns - October 22nd, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201710220cle.htm |access-date=October 27, 2017}} Following the game, reports surfaced Kizer was out late the Friday before the Titans game, which caused some controversy.{{Cite web |last=McManamon |first=Pat |date=October 23, 2017 |title=Hue Jackson's handling of DeShone Kizer defies logic |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/cleveland-browns/post/_/id/23767/hue-jacksons-handling-of-deshone-kizer-defies-logic |access-date=October 27, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}} During a Week 14 27–21 overtime loss the Green Bay Packers, Kizer threw for 214 yards and a season-high three touchdowns, but also threw two interceptions, including one in overtime that gave the Packers excellent field position.{{Cite web |title=Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns – December 10th, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712100cle.htm |access-date=December 11, 2017 |website=Pro Football Reference}} In the regular-season finale against the Steelers, Kizer finished with a season-high 314 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as the Browns lost on the road by a score of 24–28.{{Cite web |title=Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – December 31st, 2017 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712310pit.htm |access-date=January 22, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference}} The Browns finished the season with an 0–16 record, only the second team in NFL history to have that record.{{Cite web |date=December 31, 2017 |title=Browns go 0–16, joining 2008 Lions in historic NFL low |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/browns/2017/12/31/browns-0-16-season-hue-jackson/993160001/ |access-date=January 22, 2018 |website=USA Today}}{{Cite web |title=2017 Cleveland Browns Statistics & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/2017.htm |access-date=January 22, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
In 15 starts of his rookie season, Kizer completed 53.6 percent of his passes for 2,894 yards, 11 touchdowns, and a league-leading 22 interceptions to go along with 77 carries for 419 yards and five touchdowns.{{Cite web |title=2017 NFL Passing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/passing.htm |access-date=March 2, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference}}{{Cite web |title=DeShone Kizer 2017 Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KizeDe00/gamelog/2017/ |access-date=January 22, 2018 |website=Pro Football Reference}}
=Green Bay Packers=
On March 14, 2018, Kizer was traded to the Packers in exchange for Damarious Randall and a swap of both fourth and fifth-round draft picks.{{Cite web |last=Gribble |first=Andrew |date=March 14, 2018 |title=Browns land versatile DB Damarious Randall, trade QB DeShone Kizer to Green Bay |url=http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-land-versatile-DB-Damarious-Randall-trade-QB-DeShone-Kizer-to-Green-Bay/a44464df-520d-47e3-a1ab-3df79cae9bfc |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315134233/http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/news/article-5/Browns-land-versatile-DB-Damarious-Randall-trade-QB-DeShone-Kizer-to-Green-Bay/a44464df-520d-47e3-a1ab-3df79cae9bfc |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |access-date=March 15, 2018 |website=ClevelandBrowns.com}}
During the season-opener against the Chicago Bears, Kizer played in place of an injured Aaron Rodgers in the first and second quarters, throwing for 55 yards and an interception, which was returned for a touchdown, while also losing a fumble after being strip-sacked. Rodgers returned in the third quarter and led the Packers to a 24–23 victory.{{Cite web |last=Florjancic |first=Matthew |date=September 10, 2018 |title=Former Cleveland Browns QB DeShone Kizer threw pick-six, lost fumble in Green Bay Packers debut |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/nfl/browns/former-cleveland-browns-qb-deshone-kizer-threw-pick-six-lost-fumble-in-green-bay-packers-debut/95-592673160 |access-date=September 11, 2018 |website=WKYC}} In the regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions, Kizer played in relief of Rodgers, who had suffered a concussion, and threw for 132 yards and an interception as the Packers were shut-out by a score of 31–0.{{Cite web |last=Spofford |first=Mike |date=December 30, 2018 |title=Packers end season with 31–0 loss |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-vs-lions-in-game-updates?campaign=sf:fanshare:facebook |access-date=January 23, 2019 |website=packers.com}}{{Cite web |last=Wing |first=Ryan |date=December 30, 2018 |title=Kizer struggles in relief of Rodgers in Packers loss to Lions |url=http://fox11online.com/sports/packers-and-nfl/kizer-struggles-in-relief-of-rodgers-in-packers-loss-to-lions |access-date=December 31, 2018 |publisher=WLUK}}
On August 31, 2019, Kizer was released as part of the final roster cuts.{{Cite web |date=August 31, 2019 |title=Packers announce roster moves |url=https://www.packers.com/news/packers-announce-roster-moves-x5219 |access-date=September 2, 2019 |website=Packers.com}}
=Oakland / Las Vegas Raiders=
On September 1, 2019, Kizer was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Raiders.{{Cite web |date=September 1, 2019 |title=Raiders claim quarterback DeShone Kizer |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-claim-quarterback-deshone-kizer |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927043741/https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-claim-quarterback-deshone-kizer |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |access-date=September 4, 2019 |website=Raiders.com}}
On May 5, 2020, Kizer was waived by the relocated Las Vegas Raiders.{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2020 |title=Raiders announce undrafted free agent signings |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-announce-undrafted-free-agent-signings-x9886 |access-date=May 12, 2020|website=Raiders.com}} He was re-signed to the Raiders practice squad on September 7, 2020,{{Cite web |date=September 7, 2020 |title=Raiders re-sign Wilber and Young; Place Mariota and Muse on IR |url=https://www.raiders.com/news/raiders-re-sign-wilber-and-young-place-marcus-mariota-muse-on-ir |access-date=September 13, 2020 |website=Raiders.com}} and was released on September 30.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Charean |author-link=Charean Williams |date=September 30, 2020 |title=Raiders cut DeShone Kizer as Marcus Mariota returns to practice |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2020/09/30/raiders-cut-deshone-kizer-as-marcus-mariota-returns-to-practice/ |access-date=October 14, 2020 |website=NBCSports.com}}
=Tennessee Titans=
On November 24, 2020, Kizer was signed to the Tennessee Titans practice squad.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Titans Place LB Jayon Brown and LT Ty Sambrailo on Injured Reserve While Making Several Other Roster Moves |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-place-lb-jayon-brown-and-lt-ty-sambrailo-on-injured-reserve-while-making- |access-date=November 28, 2020 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}} He was signed to a futures contract on January 11, 2021.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=January 11, 2021 |title=Titans Sign 14 Players to Futures Contracts for 2021 |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-14-players-to-futures-contracts-for-2021 |access-date=January 13, 2021 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}}
Kizer entered the 2021 offseason as the third string quarterback competing with backup Logan Woodside for the No. 2 spot behind starter Ryan Tannehill.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=July 12, 2021 |title=QB DeShone Kizer's Plan: Earn Back-Up Spot With the Titans, and Make Nashville Home |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/qb-deshone-kizer-s-plan-earn-back-up-spot-with-the-titans-and-make-nashville-hom |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=TennesseeTitans.com }}{{Dead link|date=May 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Kizer was released on August 5, 2021, after the Titans signed quarterback Matt Barkley.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=August 5, 2021 |title=Titans Add QB Matt Barkley, Release QB DeShone Kizer, in a Flurry of Roster Moves |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-add-qb-matt-barkley-release-qb-deshone-kizer-in-a-flurry-of-roster-moves |access-date=August 15, 2021 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}} Kizer was re-signed to the practice squad on November 26, 2021, but was released three days later.{{Cite web |last=Wyatt |first=Jim |date=November 26, 2021 |title=Titans Sign QB DeShone Kizer to Practice Squad |url=https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-sign-qb-deshone-kizer-to-practice-squad |access-date=November 28, 2021 |website=TennesseeTitans.com}}
NFL career statistics
| class="wikitable mw-collapsible mw-collapsed"
! colspan="2"| Legend |
| style="background:#cfecec; width:3em;"|
| Led the league |
| Bold
| Career high |
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="8"| Passing ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="2"| Fumbles | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rate | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Fum | Lost |
| 2017 | CLE
| 15 || 15 || 255 || 476 || 53.6 || 2,894 || 6.1 || 11 || style="background:#cfecec;"| 22 || 60.5 || 77 || 419 || 5.4 || 5 || 9 || 6 | ||||||||||||||
| 2018 | GB
| 3 || 0 || 20 || 42 || 47.6 || 187 || 4.5 || 0 || 2 || 40.5 || 5 || 39 || 7.8 || 0 || 1 || 1 | ||||||||||||||
| 2019 | OAK
| 0 || 0 || colspan="14" rowspan="3" | {{abbr|DNP|Did not play}} | ||||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|2020 | LV
| 0 || 0 | ||||||||||||||
| TEN
| 0 || 0 | |||||||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KizeDe00.htm Career] || 18 || 15 || 275 || 518 || 53.1 || 3,081 || 5.9 || 11 || 24 || 58.9 || 82 || 458 || 5.6 || 5 || 10 || 7 |
Personal life
Kizer's father, Derek, played basketball at Bowling Green from 1987 to 1991.{{Cite web |last=Heisler |first=John |date=November 27, 2015 |title=North of Confident, South of Cocky: DeShone Kizer's rise from Toledo, Ohio, to one of the most visible and scrutinized positions in all of college football |url=https://und.com/north-of-confident-south-of-cocky/ |access-date=September 11, 2017 |website=UND.com}}{{Cite web |title=Derek Kizer College Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/derek-kizer-1.html |access-date=November 19, 2018 |website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com}}
Kizer is the founder of One of None, an online marketplace that uses non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to authenticate its products. He is also a member of ON_Discourse, a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) that discusses technology and business.{{Cite news |last=Morley |first=Olivia |date=November 4, 2022 |title=Code and Theory's Dan Gardner Reveals a New Media Company |url=https://www.adweek.com/media/code-and-theorys-dan-gardner-reveals-new-media-company-designed-to-help-readers-understand-technology/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105193417/https://www.adweek.com/media/code-and-theorys-dan-gardner-reveals-new-media-company-designed-to-help-readers-understand-technology/ |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |access-date=November 8, 2022 |work=AdWeek}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
{{footballstats|pfr=K/KizeDe00|yahoo=30165|espn=3129302}}
- [http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/deshone_kizer_913594.html Notre Dame Fighting Irish bio]
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Category:Players of American football from Toledo, Ohio
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:Notre Dame Fighting Irish football players
Category:Cleveland Browns players
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Category:Las Vegas Raiders players
Category:Oakland Raiders players