DeShone Kizer on Brian Kelly's radio comments: 'I took it as the truth'

SOUTH BEND — For those wondering if DeShone Kizer heard the comments Brian Kelly made about him last week, the answer is yes.

But he wasn’t offended. In fact, he agrees with some of them.

The former Notre Dame starting quarterback joined the Kap and Co. Show with David Kaplan and Jordan Cornette on ESPN 100 in Chicago on Tuesday (interview begins around the 2-hour mark), and was asked about Kelly’s Sirius XM NFL Radio interview.

“I took it as the truth, I took it as reality,” Kizer said. “Timing is everything on the comment and obviously as my name continues to grow as we get closer to the draft, anything and everything that looks negative is going to be portrayed as negative. For me, it’s honestly the truth. I had two more years available. I’m only 21 years of age. There is a lot of growth for me. There’s a lot of growth for everyone in this draft.”

Last week, Kelly drew national criticism when he said that Kizer should “still be in college.” He said his initial recommendation for Kizer was to return to Notre Dame, but also said that he ultimately supported his choice to leave. Kelly addressed the interview again on Friday after being asked if he felt regretful.

“Whatever was interpreted, I have a great deal of positive feelings for DeShone,” Kelly said. “I think he’s the best quarterback coming out.”

More: Brian Kelly thinks DeShone Kizer should still be in college

More: Brian Kelly addresses DeShone Kizer comments

Kizer, who is poised no matter the situation, did not seem bothered by the turmoil. He reiterated during the radio interview that in order to get to a Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers level, he has to “acknowledge that I am young just like coach said. I have to acknowledge that I could have had a couple extra years in college like coach said.”

Kizer was later asked about his relationship with Kelly. He described it as a “productive and working relationship” and wanted to play for him because Kelly challenged him just like his dad did.

“Coach Kelly did the exact thing we expected him to do,” Kizer said. “He pushed me harder than anyone else pushed me. He held me to standards just as high as I would hold my standards myself, and that’s what got me to play at my best.

“Off the field, our relationship was just as it’s expected to be. That was one where when we saw each other, we’d have a couple conversations here and there. But for the most part, we were all about business. We were both just so competitive that at times you see on the sidelines and you see from an outsider’s perspective at times we’re going to clash heads.”

Kizer and Kelly have not discussed last week’s comments, and doubts they will because it’s not a big deal, he said.

“Once again, I truly believe what he said is the truth,” Kizer said. “It can be taken a lot farther than what it actually is, but if you look at the exact words, I am young, I could be back for a couple more years, and I do have a lot of room to grow. I can’t be upset with the truth.”

Follow IndyStar Notre Dame Insider Laken Litman on Twitter and Instagram: @lakenlitman.