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, compiling a 30–3 record as a starter that translates to a .903 winning percentage, the second highest in school history. Book was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft and has since appeared with several organizations, including the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Kansas City Chiefs. He is a Super Bowl champion, having earned a ring as part of the Philadelphia Eagles roster that won Super Bowl LIX.
Standing 183 centimeters tall and weighing 96 kilograms, Book has spent his professional career serving primarily in a reserve role while developing as a passer and runner. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in late December 2024 and was part of the championship squad that completed the season. His career arc has carried him through multiple practice squad stints and brief active roster opportunities across the league.
Early Life and Background
Ian Michael Book was born on March 30, 1998, in El Dorado Hills, California, a community in the Sacramento metropolitan area. He grew up in the region and attended Oak Ridge High School, where he played high school football and developed his skills as a quarterback. The Northern California setting provided an early foundation for his athletic development, and his performances at Oak Ridge drew the attention of college recruiters.
Book originally committed to Washington State before deciding to flip his commitment to Notre Dame, a move that set the course for his collegiate career. His decision to join the Fighting Irish reflected both the program’s tradition at the quarterback position and the opportunity to compete at a high level within a national spotlight. Those formative choices in high school ultimately shaped the trajectory that followed.
Path to American Football
Book’s path to professional football began on the campus of Notre Dame, where he joined a competitive quarterback room. He took a redshirt during his freshman year in 2016 to preserve a year of eligibility, learning behind established starters such as Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer, along with primary backup Brandon Wimbush. The patience required in those early months helped him absorb the speed and complexity of the college game.
During the 2017 season, Book continued to develop behind Wimbush, but he earned his first start on October 7, 2017, when an injury to Wimbush gave him the opportunity against the North Carolina Tar Heels. He propelled Notre Dame to a 33–10 victory, signaling his readiness for larger roles. He later appeared in the 2018 Citrus Bowl, where he came off the bench and led the Irish to a 21–17 victory over the LSU Tigers, further establishing his value to the program.
Ian Book Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Book took ownership of the Notre Dame starting role in 2018, beginning with a pair of slim home victories over the Ball State Cardinals and the Vanderbilt Commodores. He was then chosen as the starter over Wimbush for a road game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, where he threw for 325 yards and two touchdowns and ran for three more in a 56–27 victory. The following week against the seventh-ranked Stanford Cardinal, he passed for 278 yards and four touchdowns in a 38–17 rout, cementing his position under center.
In 2019, Book opened the home schedule with a 66–14 win over the New Mexico Lobos on September 14, passing for 360 yards and five touchdowns while adding a rushing score, the most points in a Notre Dame home opener since 1932. He later threw five touchdowns in the first half against the Bowling Green Falcons on October 5, 2019, becoming the first player in Notre Dame history to record five scores in one half. On December 29, 2019, Book announced via Instagram that he would return for a fifth season as a redshirt senior.
Notre Dame Starting Quarterback (2018–2020)
Under Book, the Irish finished the 2018 regular season undefeated at 12–0 and earned their first College Football Playoff berth, although they fell to eventual national champion Clemson in the 2018 Cotton Bowl Classic, 30–3. Book continued to produce at a high level in 2019, throwing for 284 yards and five touchdowns against the Navy Midshipmen on November 16, 2019, becoming the first Notre Dame quarterback to record five touchdown passes in three games during a single season.
On December 5, 2020, Book surpassed Tom Clements, Ron Powlus, and Brady Quinn to become Notre Dame’s all-time leader in wins as a starting quarterback with 30 total victories, while his 72 career touchdown passes ranked second in program history. He finished ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting that year and was named Third-team All-ACC in 2020. He led Notre Dame to another College Football Playoff appearance, where the Irish lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl semifinal.
New Orleans Saints Era (2021–2022)
Book was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round with the 133rd overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft and signed his four-year rookie contract on June 8, 2021. His first career start came on December 23, 2021, after Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, making him the fourth quarterback the Saints named as a starter during an injury-riddled season. In the debut, Book completed 12 of 20 passes for 135 yards with two interceptions as New Orleans fell to the Miami Dolphins 20–3.
Book was waived by the Saints on August 30, 2022, ending his first professional chapter. The brief Saints tenure provided his first exposure to regular NFL game speed and the rhythm of a professional passing offense.
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2022–2025)
On August 31, 2022, Book was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Eagles, beginning a long association with the organization. He was waived on August 29, 2023, but returned to the Eagles late in the 2024 season when starter Jalen Hurts and backup Kenny Pickett were dealing with injuries. On December 26, 2024, he signed with the practice squad, and two days later was promoted to the active roster.
Book earned a Super Bowl ring as part of the Eagles team that defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, the defining milestone of his professional career. He was waived on January 7, 2025, and re-signed to the practice squad two days later, rounding out a season that delivered the highest team achievement he has experienced.
New England Patriots Era (2023)
On September 13, 2023, Book signed with the practice squad of the New England Patriots, adding another stop to his journeyman professional path. He was released five days later on September 18, 2023, returning to free agency.
Kansas City Chiefs Era (2024)
On January 10, 2024, Book signed a reserve/future contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, positioning himself for an offseason opportunity. The Chiefs waived him on August 26, ending his brief tenure in Kansas City before the regular season began.
Driving Style and Strengths
Book has shown a balanced skill set at quarterback, demonstrating the ability to push the ball downfield with timing routes while also contributing meaningful production as a runner. His college record at Notre Dame reflected a passer who could dissect defenses through the air, as evidenced by multiple five-touchdown performances and career totals of 72 touchdown passes. His comfort operating RPO concepts and play-action looks made him a steady distributor in spread and pro-style systems alike.
Notable Events and Milestones
The signature milestone of Book’s career is his Super Bowl LIX championship as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, earned after the team defeated the Kansas City Chiefs. He also holds Notre Dame records for career wins as a starting quarterback with 30 victories and ranks second in program history with 72 career touchdown passes. His five-touchdown passing performances against New Mexico and Navy set historic marks within the Fighting Irish record book.
Ian Book Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Ian Book’s immediate family is limited in verified sources. He grew up in El Dorado Hills, California, and attended Oak Ridge High School, where his development as a quarterback took shape. Beyond those details, additional specifics about parents or siblings are not documented in the available record.
Personal Life
Book has kept his personal life largely private, with no verified public details about a spouse or children in the available record. He maintains a presence on social media, including accounts on Instagram and X, where he has shared career updates such as his decision to return to Notre Dame for a fifth season. His professional journey has carried him across several NFL cities, and his primary residence has not been publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
Ian Book entered the 2025 NFL calendar year as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad after being waived on January 7, 2025, and re-signed two days later. His championship credentials from Super Bowl LIX positioned him as a familiar presence within the organization, and his role through the early portion of the year has been developmental and reserve-based. With Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett ahead of him on the depth chart, Book’s path back to active duty depends on injuries or roster movement.
Throughout the 2025 offseason, Book’s value lies in his experience within the Eagles system and his familiarity with the offensive scheme installed by the coaching staff. His college résumé, including 30 wins as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback and 72 career touchdown passes, continues to underscore his passing credentials at the professional level. Should opportunity arise, his track record suggests readiness to step into a backup role and manage the offense in short bursts.
Looking ahead through the 2025 season, Book’s outlook centers on staying prepared and competing for elevation to the active roster when teams adjust their depth charts. His journeyman path through New Orleans, Philadelphia, New England, and Kansas City has built a broad understanding of multiple offensive systems. Whether as a practice squad anchor or an emergency call-up, Book remains positioned within a championship organization entering a new campaign.