I'm not saying Kelly doesn't want dual-threat QBs. I actually think that Kelly's offense functions best when he has a QB that can also run the ball. But I do think that passing ability is a bigger factor for him; i.e. starting Pike over Callaros (sp) at Cincy once Pike got healthy again, despite Callaros putting up amazing numbers in Pike's absence. It's hard to make real judgment calls on his recruiting preference because being a dual-threat QB doesn't mean you can't throw the ball. Works the other way too (see Andrew luck).

If I had to guess - and this is just my own personal observations - on how Kelly would order what he values in his QBs, it would be 1) grasp of offense 2) poise and toughness 3) throwing ability and 4) running ability.

And I'd also venture that #3 is far closer in importance to #1 and #2 than running ability is to any of them.

That's good, right?

Kelly certainly isn't making things easy on us when it comes to identifying his recruiting prototype at QB. On one hand, you can say he recruited guys like LeFevour and Collaros whereas he inherited Pike, so clearly he prefers the dual-threat guys. But then he comes to ND and adds Massa to a haul that includes three Pike-type pocket passers (though apparently Hendrix has some pretty good wheels).

In this class, Kelly targeted Starling, a truly dynamic runner, but when that fell through, he considered offering Philip Ely, a traditional QB who, based on his picking Alabama, is probably in the mold of Greg McElroy.

For 2012, I'm not that familiar with QB recruits beyond the initial triumvirate of Mauk, Kiel and Gray Crow, who was originally targeted by Weis and seems to have fallen by the wayside. I have to think that Mauk will be the guy. He's the only QB with an offer, he's putting up video-game numbers, and Kelly knows what he's getting after coaching his brother. Mauk isn't a Starling-type runner, but he's not a Pike-type statue, either. Besides his brother, maybe a good comparison would be a player like Forcier (without the douchiness).

And even the Rivals/ISD guys don't seem sure as to who's got an offer.

The usual suspects are Mauk, Kiel and Gray Crow (from FL - more of a drop-back guy) because all 3 have visited/camped at ND on multiple occasions.

There's a kid down in FL (whose name escapes me at the moment) who's claiming a verbal offer from Kelly. IIRC, he's more of a running QB, but Kelly may be recruiting him as an ATH.

I guess the short answer is that its too early to tell. I'm curious to see when we start getting some more concrete info on the next class. Though if today is any indication, he's going to have his hands full keeping this class together.

Viewing some of his highlights, Kiel runs the Zone Read (and keeps it!).