Scarlet and gray confetti rains from the sky as The Ohio State University celebrates its ninth national championship. On Jan. 20, the Buckeyes beat Notre Dame University 34-23. The Fighting Irish walked off the field after a 14-2 season.

“It was sad to see Notre Dame lose the national championship, but it was still amazing to see them make it as far as they did when they weren’t expected to,” freshman Jaxson Zimmerman said.

Notre Dame’s bittersweet loss affected one player particularly, senior linebacker Jack Kiser. The College Football National Championship was Kiser’s 69th and final career game. On Nov. 16, he played his 63rd game in a Fighting Irish uniform and became Notre Dame’s All-Time Games Played leader.

“I think it’s cool that someone from Cass County has an all-time stat for such a pristine school,” Zimmerman said. 

However, before setting Notre Dame records and playing in the College Football National Championship, he had a successful career at Pioneer Junior-Senior High School. Kiser played 58 varsity football games at the Royal Center, Indiana school. Out of these games, he only lost two and won back-to-back Class A state championships in his junior and senior years.

“As a kid, I used to hear the stories about how he was a hard worker and a great person,” senior Chrisanthony Del Valle said. “I heard that he would be a leader and lead people all the time.”

Despite being a linebacker for Notre Dame, Kiser also played quarterback at Pioneer in both championships. 

“Kiser was a very good player on offense and defense during his high school career, and the championships and awards he won opened up a lot of doors for him,” Zimmerman said.

After his time at Pioneer, Kiser enrolled at Notre Dame in 2019 and played for the Fighting Irish for six years. He became a team captain in 2024. His career totals include 166 solo tackles, 109 assists on tackles, four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), and seven forced fumbles. 

However, at 25 Kiser will be one of the oldest prospects in the 2025 NFL draft class. 

Even before his possible NFL career, Kiser’s story has already inspired thousands. Coming from a small town with a population of 797, winning two state championships in high school, and made it to a runner-up finish in the College Football Playoff.

“He inspired me because he proved that it doesn’t matter where you come from or where you start,” Del Valle said. “He proved that with work ethic and patience, good things will happen, which I apply to my everyday life.”