SOUTH BEND – Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer has declared for the NFL draft, the school announced today.

Kizer started the past 23 games for the Fighting Irish, with a 12-11 record. He threw for 5,809 yards with 47 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, adding 992 rushing yards and 18 more scores on the ground.

The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Kizer assumed the starting role in the third game of the 2015 season, replacing Malik Zaire after Zaire suffered a broken ankle against Virginia in Week 2. Kizer threw a game-winning touchdown pass and never looked back, starting every Irish contest since.

Zaire has said he will transfer elsewhere for his fifth college season in 2017.

Kizer was voted the Irish’s MVP by his teammates at Friday’s program awards banquet and named a captain for 2017.

“DeShone is an extremely gifted quarterback that was faced with a difficult decision,” said Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly Monday in a release. “He could return as a senior captain at Notre Dame — a place that he loves, and with a program that respects him immensely. Or, he could begin the next chapter in his life and accept the opportunity that likely awaits in the NFL.

“While he chose the latter, the type of leadership DeShone displayed this past season will benefit our program moving forward. He’ll certainly be missed on and off the field, but we’re very happy for him and his family. DeShone will always represent this University with the utmost professionalism and class.”