Browns QB Deshone Kizer addresses Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly's concerns about his development, now that he has been named the starter. (0:57)

A somewhat exasperated Brian Kelly emphasized (again) that his pre-draft comments about DeShone Kizer were positive and not solely that Kizer should stay another season at Notre Dame.

Speaking on a Sunday conference call the day after the Irish’s opening-game win over Temple, Kelly said he’s “thrilled” that Kizer will start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns and the Notre Dame coach believes Kizer has “what it takes to persevere” as a rookie going through the growing pains of NFL life.

“One of the things that I said was he’s got outstanding character and he’s got great traits,” Kelly said. “You’re not going to have to worry about any of those things. I think he’s got what it takes to persevere and fight through adversity.

“This isn’t a short-term solution here. He’s here for the long haul.”

Kizer will be the second rookie since 1999 (after Brandon Weeden) to start the Browns opener, and the 27th different Browns starting quarterback in that time. Kizer beat out Brock Osweiler and Cody Kessler to win the job. Browns coach Hue Jackson said the team will stand by Kizer, who was in South Bend for the Temple game, through any struggles.

“I saw him (Saturday),” Kelly said, “and I said, ‘Look, there’s gonna be some good days and bad days. Just keep fighting through it. On the other side of it there will be some great success.’ I think he’s definitely somebody that will be able to get through those tough times.”

As for his comments from several months ago, Kelly re-emphasized his key points.

“What I said was that he was the best quarterback in the draft and he has the biggest upside but would benefit from staying at Notre Dame,” Kelly said. “Once that decision was made, we were all for DeShone seeking out what his dream was, to play in the NFL. And that’s what he’s done. In a very short period of time he has gotten himself into a great position to be the starting quarterback.

“We’re thrilled for DeShone. We’re big fans. And hopefully he’s surrounded with guys that can get Cleveland back into championship caliber.”