Report: Notre Dame grants Malik Zaire release to transfer

UPDATE 9:30 p.m. ET

Zaire has reportedly been granted an unconditional release from the school.

According to an updated ESPN report, there will be no restrictions on his future destination, opening up the possibility of Zaire transferring to Michigan State, North Carolina and other schools.

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It looks like Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire will be playing for a different school in 2017.

According to a report by ESPN, Zaire was granted his release to transfer from the school for next season. As a December graduate, Zaire can transfer without having to sit out a year.

The release, however, isn’t unconditional. He can’t transfer to anyone on the team’s 2017 schedule minus North Carolina.

Zaire would presumably compete at Florida with Luke Del Rio and with Alex Hornibrook at Wisconsin. Pitt quarterback Nathan Peterman is a senior this season. Peterman was a grad transfer from Tennessee.

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Zaire, who replaced former Notre Dame QB Everett Golson at the end of 2014, opened the 2015 season as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback before breaking his ankle in the second game of the season. He was replaced by DeShone Kizer and never officially got his job back. After the two opened the season as co-starters of sorts vs. Texas, Kizer was the main QB the rest of the season. Zaier attempted just 23 passes all year.

In parts of three seasons with the Irish Zaire is 58-98 passing for 816 yards and six touchdowns. He also has 324 career rushing yards.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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