DeShone Kizer will be the Browns starting quarterback this fall, head coach Hue Jackson announced Sunday on a teleconference.
The former Notre Dame star and second-round NFL Draft pick is set to be the first rookie to start a season opener since 2012.
In his first preseason start, Kizer showed poise and promise in a win over the Buccaneers on Saturday night in Tampa, finishing with a stat line that Jackson said didn't accurately reflect how the youngster played.
"I thought he did some good things. I know the numbers weren't like I would like or he would like, but I thought he moved the team and made some plays," he said Saturday.
"I thought he did some really good things. I'm going to go back and watch the tape, but I feel comfortable with him. I thought he handled things really well. His eyes were good, the conversations we had was what you want with your quarterback."
Kizer completed 6-of-18 throws for 93 yards and an interception but was hampered by unfavorable field position and offensive miscues. Through three games, Kizer has completed 25-for-49 attempts for 351 yards and a touchdown, having played the most of any of team's signal callers in an effort to evaluate whether he'd be ready to lead the Browns this season.
Sunday's news also effectively ends a lengthy quarterback competition that saw Kizer, Brock Osweiler, Cody Kessler and Kevin Hogan split reps since OTAs.
Kizer, whom Jackson said must continue to earn the respect of the team's veterans, said the 21-year-old is "doing everything I'm asking him to do."
"I think he's doing everything I think he needs to do to prepare himself for this opportunity," Jackson said Saturday. "Obviously, he did some good things and he made a jump."
