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What does the Everett Golson transfer mean for FSU?

By Jonathan Bass

Nov 15, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) throws in the second quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2014; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) throws in the second quarter against the Northwestern Wildcats at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Everett Golson has decided to transfer to FSU. What does that mean for the ‘Noles this upcoming season?

On Tuesday, Everett Golson announced that he will transfer to Florida State for the 2015-16 college football season. The news came one day after Golson postponed his decision – reportedly to take one last look around the college landscape before making his intentions known.

So, what does Golson’s transfer mean for the ‘Noles this upcoming season? In a word: everything.

FSU was expected to take a step back in 2015 before maturing and reasserting its dominance in 2016. To be clear, a step back for FSU meant finishing behind Clemson in the ACC Atlantic Division and missing out on the College Football Playoff – when you’re a heater like the ‘Noles have ridden over the past three years, being your conference’s second best team constitutes a backslide. The reason for the expected slippage: lack of leadership after sending a bevy of talent to the NFL, especially on offense.

It’s impossible to fill the void created by Jameis Winston. National champion, Heisman-winning, No. 1 overall draft pick quarterbacks don’t just grow on trees. That said, Jimbo Fisher just landed the absolute best possible replacement he could find (yes, better than Braxton Miller, given the injury situation). Golson has played under, arguably, a bigger spotlight than the one shining down on Tallahassee, has overcome his share of personal adversity and possesses (championship!) game experience. He can immediately command respect when walking into FSU’s locker room. Even if he doesn’t start (Fisher has publicly stated that no positions are given without competition), the team has found both a leader and a catalyst for excitement.

If you’re searching for a parallel, look no further than Alabama’s squad last season. Incumbent backup-turned-starter Blake Sims was expected to handle the reins of a team flush with playmakers until wingding transfer Jacob Coker came aboard (leaving FSU, of all places). From there, Coker appeared the odds-on-favorite throughout fall camp, but could never quite win the job. However, whenever Sims looked shaky under center, Coker was right over his shoulder as a potential relief (the threat of a Coker save-grace continued throughout the season – even as far as him warming up during the Auburn game while Sims was struggling). That constant competition propelled the Crimson Tide to a conference championship and a berth in inaugural College Football Playoff.

Should Sean MaGuire hold on to his job at QB1, he’ll have a hungry Golson nipping at his heels. Even more important, he’ll have another veteran on the sideline pushing, coaching and mentoring. As witnessed in last year’s fantastic Clemson game, even a strong quarterback presence on the sidelines means a great deal.

If Golson wins the job, then Fisher can add one more playmaker to his offense. Golson is mobile enough to dance around in the pocket – a relief to what could be a shaky offensive line situation. And while his accuracy falters at times (59.5% career completion percentage), there will be no shortage of talent to take the load off, as the ‘Noles are stacked. Florida State has a historically large receiving corps, with seven wideouts standing 6’1″ or taller, and also returns a potential Heisman candidate in tailback Dalvin Cook.

If nothing else, Fisher enters the fall with two capable quarterbacks and some much-needed depth at the position. The move also allows FSU to potentially hold off on thrusting  J.J. Cosentino into a starting role, granting the talented redshirt freshman at least one more season of development before seizing the keys to the kingdom.

One player does not a team make, though, on the surface at least, Golson appears to be the bridge to yet another dominant season.

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