Unable to draw separation in the quarterback competition, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said Wednesday he'll use both DeShone Kizer and Malik Zaire in the season opener against Texas.

"If I list my top five playmakers, (Zaire and Kizer) are both in it," Kelly told reporters. "My ultimate decision is that I can't put one of those guys on the sideline against Texas."

Kizer and Zaire have spent the offseason battling for the right to be called Notre Dame's starting quarterback. Zaire, a senior, entered last season as the starter but broke his leg in the second week. Kizer, now a junior, replaced him and saw his star take off immediately.

2015 Stats: Kizer vs. Zaire

YDS TD INT CMP% Kizer 2884 21 10 63 Zaire 428 4 0 65

While Kelly said he believes it's in his team's best interest to play both pivots against the Longhorns, he admitted his decision isn't likely to come as good news to either signal-caller.

"I think down deep they're not happy about sharing the position," he said.

Brian Kelly says he would definitely consider using both QBs on the field at the same time. Hints if he tells us how, he’d have to kill us. — Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) August 17, 2016

After both signal-callers performed well throughout spring and fall practices, though, Kelly said he simply couldn't decide between the two.

"These two guys are too good," he said. "I'm just watching them in practice every day and they're making plays."

Notre Dame opens the season Sept. 4 against Texas, which is also trying to sort through a quarterback controversy.