Ian Book Bio
Ian Michael Book is an American professional football quarterback, born on March 30, 1998, in El Dorado Hills, California. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and is the winningest starting quarterback in the history of the program, going 30–5 as a starter. Book was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft and has since spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles, the New England Patriots, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He is a Super Bowl champion after being part of the Philadelphia Eagles roster that won Super Bowl LIX.
Early Life and Background
Ian Michael Book was raised in El Dorado Hills, California, where he attended Oak Ridge High School and developed into a promising football prospect. As a high school player, he attracted attention from several college programs and originally gave a verbal commitment to Washington State before changing his mind. He ultimately decided to join the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, a program with a deep tradition of producing talented quarterbacks.
Book’s path to Notre Dame reflected a willingness to reconsider his options in pursuit of the right fit, both athletically and academically. His family supported his athletic development throughout his youth, and his performances at Oak Ridge High School helped set the stage for a college career at one of the most storied football programs in the country. Standing at 6 feet 0 inches and listed around 212 pounds, Book has relied on quick decision-making, accuracy, and mobility rather than pure size.
Path to American Football
Book’s progression to high-level American football began in earnest at Oak Ridge High School, where he was a multi-year starter and a respected recruit in the talent-rich state of California. His senior season performance earned him scholarship offers, and his eventual flip from Washington State to Notre Dame marked a significant step toward competing at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. Joining Notre Dame meant entering a quarterback room with established veterans and a demanding system.
After arriving in South Bend, Book took a redshirt during his freshman year in 2016 to preserve a year of eligibility while learning the offense. He spent his second season as a backup and earned his first significant opportunity on October 7, 2017, when he started for an injured Brandon Wimbush against the North Carolina Tar Heels and led Notre Dame to a 33–10 victory. That start offered an early glimpse of his passing ability and his poise under pressure.
Ian Book Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Book spent his first two college seasons developing behind quarterbacks Malik Zaire, DeShone Kizer, and Brandon Wimbush. Limited in regular game action, he focused on mastering the playbook, refining his mechanics, and absorbing the culture of a program that regularly competes for conference and national titles. His lone extended appearance in 2017 produced an efficient performance against North Carolina, foreshadowing a larger role to come.
He also gained valuable experience during Notre Dame’s 2018 Citrus Bowl, where he entered the game in relief and guided the Irish to a 21–17 victory over the LSU Tigers. That postseason performance strengthened the coaching staff’s belief in his leadership and set up a competition for the starting job the following fall. By the end of his redshirt sophomore year, Book was ready to take full control of the offense.
Notre Dame Breakthrough (2018–2020)
Book won the starting job in 2018 and immediately rewarded the staff’s decision. He led Notre Dame to a perfect 12–0 regular season, including a 56–27 road win over Wake Forest in which he threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns while adding three rushing scores. A week later, he delivered four touchdown passes in a 38–17 rout of seventh-ranked Stanford, and he closed the regular season by leading No. 3 Notre Dame past Northwestern 31–21 with a late rushing touchdown. The Irish earned a College Football Playoff berth before falling to eventual national champion Clemson in the 2018 Cotton Bowl Classic.
The 2019 season produced even more eye-catching numbers. On September 14, 2019, Book threw for 360 yards and five touchdowns in a 66–14 win over New Mexico, then matched five first-half scoring passes against Bowling Green to become the first Notre Dame player to throw five touchdowns in a single half. He added five more touchdown passes against Navy, becoming the first Fighting Irish quarterback to throw five scores in three games within one season. In 2020, he passed program legends Tom Clements, Ron Powlus, and Brady Quinn to become Notre Dame’s all-time leader in wins as a starting quarterback, finishing his career with 30 victories, 72 career touchdown passes, and a ninth-place finish in Heisman Trophy voting.
New Orleans Saints Era (2021–2022)
Book entered the NFL as the 133rd overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, signing his four-year rookie contract with the Saints on June 8, 2021. He spent most of his rookie season as a backup, learning the professional game behind veterans such as Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill, and Trevor Siemian. When injuries and COVID-19 protocols left New Orleans thin at the position in December 2021, Book was named the starting quarterback for a Week 16 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. In his NFL debut, he completed 12 of 20 passes for 135 yards but threw two interceptions in a 20–3 loss. The Saints waived him on August 30, 2022.
Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots (2022–2023)
Book was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles on August 31, 2022, providing him with an opportunity in a stable organization. He spent the 2022 season developing in the quarterback room and contributing on the practice squad before being waived on August 29, 2023. Days later, on September 13, 2023, he signed with the New England Patriots practice squad, though he was released five days later on September 18, 2023.
Kansas City Chiefs and Return to Philadelphia (2024–2025)
On January 10, 2024, Book signed a reserve/future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, though he was waived on August 26, 2024. After injuries struck the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback group in late 2024, the team signed Book to its practice squad on December 26, 2024, and promoted him to the active roster two days later. Although he was waived on January 7, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad two days later, he remained part of the organization and earned a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Eagles roster that defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. On May 9, 2025, Book had a tryout with the Denver Broncos.
Notable Events and Milestones
Book’s signature achievements include becoming Notre Dame’s all-time leader in wins as a starting quarterback and setting school records for single-game yards per completion, single-season completion percentage, consecutive pass attempts without an interception, and career interception percentage. His role with the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX secured a championship ring and stands as a defining milestone of his professional career.
Ian Book Family
Personal Life
Ian Michael Book married his wife, Kendall Moore, in June 2024. The couple’s wedding marked a notable personal milestone during a transitional period in his professional career, as Book moved between practice squad opportunities with several NFL organizations. Beyond his marriage, Book maintains a public presence through social media and is represented by the handles associated with his official accounts.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Ian Michael Book was working to secure a stable roster spot after spending the previous two seasons navigating the practice squad landscape. His tryout with the Denver Broncos on May 9, 2025, demonstrated continued interest in his services as a veteran backup with starting experience and championship pedigree. A Super Bowl ring earned as part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX roster strengthened his resume heading into the new league year.
Book’s role in any 2025 camp will likely be defined by his experience in multiple offensive systems, including those of the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs. Teams value quarterbacks familiar with pro-style concepts, and his Notre Dame background under multiple offensive coordinators has provided him with a broad tactical foundation. His accuracy and mobility remain his most marketable traits at the professional level.
While his on-field opportunities in 2025 may depend on injuries and roster turnover, Book’s track record of steady preparation has consistently earned him chances across the league. A combination of his championship experience, his 30–5 record as a college starter, and his familiarity with multiple offensive schemes positions him as a reliable option for organizations seeking experienced depth at the quarterback position.
