Kiel confirms decommit to IU, visits Notre Dame

Friday, the day Harold Camping predicted as the end of the world, Columbus (Ind.) East quarterback Gunner Kiel decommitted to IU.

Steve Wilfong of 247sports.com first reported Friday that Gunner Kiel, the top-rated quarterback recruit in the country according to Rivals.com, is not only opening his commitment, but made an unofficial visit to Notre Dame Saturday, when the team lost 31-17 to USC.

At Notre Dame on Saturday, Gunner Kiel heard a pro-IU chant and told fans leading the chant that he was no longer considering IU, said Kevin Bowen, an IDS reporter who was in attendance.

Gunner Kiel informed IU Coach Kevin Wilson of his decision Thursday night, according to the Indianapolis Star.

The 6-foot-4-inch pro-style quarterback committed to IU on July 27 after months of speculation. He had also considered Alabama, Missouri, Oklahoma and Notre Dame, among others.

Gunner Kiel was IU’s class of 2012’s 13th commit. He is the state’s top prospect and was said to be the highest profiled prospect for IU since Dave Schnell, Elkhart (Ind.) Central quarterback, committed to the program in 1985.

Without Gunner Kiel in the 2012 recruiting class, the highest-rated players committed to IU are wide receiver Kevin Davis from Warren Central High School in Indianapolis and defensive end Nick Mangieri from Dunlap High School in Dunlap, Ill. They are both three-star recruits.

Gunner Kiel’s brother Dusty has started two games for IU this season, completing 39 of 82 passes for 427 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Dusty Kiel suffered an ankle injury against Illinois, sat out last week and sat out this Saturday against Iowa.

Even though the Hoosiers have out-passed their opponents 1,761 yards to 1,714 this season, IU has struggled to find consistency from the quarterback position.

Quarterbacks have thrown six interceptions and just eight touchdown passes, and IU has been outscored 267 to 171, an average loss of 33-21.

Sophomores Dusty Kiel and Edward Wright-Baker have seen time under center, as has true freshman Tre Roberson, who completed 16 of 24 passes in Saturday’s 45-24 loss at Iowa.

Roberson started the game, becoming the first true freshman to ever do so for IU.
Many might have thought Gunner Kiel would become the second, but for now, he is considering other options.

Gunner Kiel and his Columbus (Ind.) East (9-1) teammates advanced to the second round of the playoffs Friday by defeating Shelbyville 49-21. The Olympians will play East Central (9-1) at home Friday.