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Browns pick rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer as starter

Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer celebrates after a 1-yard touchdown in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane) Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer celebrates after a 1-yard touchdown in the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the New York Giants, Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)

By Associated Press August 23, 2017 1 min read

BEREA, Ohio (AP) – Rookie DeShone Kizer is Cleveland’s new starting quarterback.

Coach Hue Jackson has elected to go with Kizer, a second-round pick from Notre Dame, over veterans Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler. Kizer has been the most consistent of the three during training camp and led the Browns to three touchdowns during his two exhibition appearances.

Jackson said Kizer will start Saturday’s exhibition in Tamp Bay and “is certainly positioning himself well to earn the starting job heading into the regular season.”

The Browns open the season on Sept. 10 against Pittsburgh.

Unless he stumbles against the Buccaneers, Kizer will be the 27th different quarterback to start for the Browns since 1999. The big-armed 21-year-old has shown no signs of being intimidated by the jump to the pros after making 23 starts in two seasons for the Fighting Irish.

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