Brian Kelly to attend NFL draft in support of DeShone Kizer

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly will attend the NFL draft to support his former quarterback, DeShone Kizer, he told Mike Vorel of the South Bend Tribune.

Kelly previously criticized the pivot's decision to turn pro after his redshirt sophomore season, saying Kizer wasn't ready for the next level.

"Well, he still should be in college. The circumstances are such that you have to make business decisions and he felt like it was in his best interest," Kelly said on Sirius XM NFL Radio in early April. "I'm going to support him and his decision. But the reality of it is he needs more football, he needs more time to grow in so many areas. Not just on the field, but off the field."

Kizer threw for 2,925 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 2016, but led Notre Dame to a disappointing 4-8 record. He was benched by Kelly on multiple occasions, but there never appeared to be any bad blood between the two.

Kizer is projected to be selected in the first three rounds of the draft.