Former Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson will transfer to Florida State and be eligible to play immediately in 2015, according to multiple reports.
Golson, who can transfer and not sit out a season because he has graduated from Notre Dame, chose Florida State from a list of 10 schools. The Myrtle Beach, South Carolina native had recently visited Florida and Georgia, and turned down other possibilities with schools such as South Carolina, Alabama, and UCLA.
The 22-year-old Golson has large shoes to fill, stepping in after quarterback Jameis Winston left Florida State and was the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft on April 30. Leading the Seminoles to a national championship as a redshirt freshman in 2014, Winston lost just one game during his two-year span as quarterback.
“This past weekend has been a defining moment in my life as I am proud to say I am a graduate of the University of Notre Dame,” Golson said in a statement released to Fox Sports, which first reported the move on Tuesday. “The support I’ve received there over the past four years has helped strengthen my integrity, wisdom and character. I would like to thank all of the coaches who spent time speaking with me these past few weeks and considered adding me to their football programs.
“To coach Jimbo Fisher, the Florida State football team, staff, alumni and fans, thank you for allowing me to become part of the Seminoles family. I can’t wait to get started.”
Golson has posted a resume of inconsistency, both on and off the field, including an academic suspension from Notre Dame in 2013. Even with these recent flaws, Golson has attributes almost identical to that of Winston: a significantly strong arm and the ability to run.
He most recently played in the Music City Bowl this past December, a 31-28 victory over LSU in which he split time with junior Malik Zaire and completed six of 11 passes for 90 yards. Golson was not completely undeserving of being benched, as he had struggled with turnovers, committing 22 on the season.
In his two seasons with the Fighting Irish, Golson threw 41 touchdown passes along with 20 interceptions, and he rushed for 581 yards with 14 touchdowns.
Golson’s largest competitor for the quarterback spot will be redshirt sophomore Sean Maguire, who has seen the field a limited amount in his time with the Seminoles.
• Andrew Walsh can be reached at awalsh@washingtontimes.com.
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