Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson transferring to Florida State
Former Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson is transferring to Florida State, a source confirmed to SI.com's Thayer Evans.
The transfer was first reported by Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports. In a statement to Fox Sports, Golson said "after much thought and careful consideration," he will use his fifth year of eligibility to join the Seminoles.
"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. "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."
In 2012, his first season as the Fighting Irish's starting quarterback, Golson passed for 2,405 yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions while adding six scores on the ground. He led the Irish to the BCS national championship game, where they lost to Alabama.
After sitting out 2013 due to a cheating incident in a class, Golson regained his starting job at Notre Dame in ’14. He completed 60% of his pass attempts for 3,445 yards with 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while adding eight scores on the ground. However, Golson struggled with turnovers, tossing 14 interceptions while losing eight fumbles last year.
Malik Zaire started over Golson in the Music City Bowl against LSU after Golson was benched in the regular-season finale against USC. Golson and Zaire battled through Notre Dame's spring practices, but neither was declared the starter.
year | Pass yards | Total Tds | Comp % | INTs | Rush Yards | Fum Lost |
2012 | 2,405 | 18 | 58.8 | 6 | 298 | 4 |
2014 | 3,445 | 37 | 60.0 | 14 | 283 | 8 |
Total | 5,850 | 55 | 59.5 | 20 | 581 | 12 |
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Golson had been linked to a number of teams since he announced his decision to transfer.
ESPN reported that Golson had a list of 10 possible transfer destinations, including Florida State, Alabama and UCLA.
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Meanwhile, Fox Sports reported that the Irish did not clear Golson to transfer to any of the schools it will face during the 2015 season as well as some Big Ten schools.
On Sunday morning, a separate report said the Seminoles were the frontrunner to land Golson.
An SEC bylaw complicated the possibility of Golson transferring to one of the conference's schools.
The bylaw requires the transfer in question to have not been "subject to official university of athletics department disciplinary action at any time during enrollment at any previous collegiate institution (excluding limited discipline by a sports team)." Golson's 2013 suspension would have likely required him to receive a waiver to play in the SEC.
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