Report: Everett Golson plans on heading to Florida State

Florida State has emerged as the front-runner for transferring Notre Dame QB Everett Golson

The Everett Golson sweepstakes has a front-runner.

According to 247sports’ sources, Florida State is seen as the eventual destination for Golson. Last year’s backup, Sean Maguire, finished the spring as FSU’s starter.

“Barring a last-minute change of heart or any influence from elsewhere, [Florida State’s] where he’s headed,” one source said.

Golson announced his decision to transfer schools last week. The quarterback has one year of eligibility remaining, but is set to graduate from Notre Dame this weekend, meaning he will not have to sit out a year before transferring.

As a junior, Golson threw for 3,445 yards and 29 touchdowns on the season, and was the starting quarterback on the 2012 team that reached the national title game. However, head coach Brian Kelly was very critical of his turnover-prone quarterback, who had 14 interceptions and eight lost fumbles. Kelly ended up starting backup QB Malik Zaire over Golson in the Music City Bowl, which is likely what led to the transfer, at least in part.

The decision to pick Florida State might be based more on process of elimination than anything else. Reportedly, Notre Dame has the option to block transfers to certain schools, including anyone on their 2015 schedule (which rules out Texas and Michigan).

Golson was also rumored to want to go to an SEC school, such as LSU or Georgia, but the SEC has a rule stating that a prospective student-athlete would be eligible to get scholarship money, practice and compete if they have not been “subject to official university or athletics disciplinary action at any time during enrollment at any previous college institution.” This would apply to Golson after his season-long 2013 academic suspension.

So by default, Florida State may be the exiled quarterback’s best option if he wants to play right away. The Seminoles head into the year needing to replace Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston, who was the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.

Rather than go into the season with the unproven Maguire at the top of the depth chart, FSU can start strong with a quarterback with experience in Golson. This, coupled with an already strong roster, would make them one of the favorites for the upcoming season.

It’s not set in stone yet by any means, but it looks like FSU will be a top team once again, thanks in part to Golson.

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