Quarterback Everett Golson (5) earned the starting nod during the Notre Dame spring game in April. ESPN’s Brett McMurphy is reporting that the senior is looking to transfer from the Irish. Evan J. Thomas/The Pit
[dropcap]E[/dropcap]SPN’s Brett McMurphy reported Thursday afternoon that Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson is interested in transferring from Notre Dame for his senior season.
The 6-foot, 2oo-pound senior graduated from Notre Dame this semester, which allows him to play his final year at whichever school he decides to play for. Rumor has it that a number of schools are interested in the quarterback from Myrtle Beach, S.C., including LSU, Florida and Florida State.
Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly stated numerous times throughout the offseason that he had expected Golson to remain with the Irish for his senior year. Kelly said this despite the ensuing quarterback battle Golson would be locked in with junior Malik Zaire.
Golson did not start in Notre Dame’s Music City Bowl win over LSU, instead making his appearance in the game during the second quarter after Zaire received the starting nod.
The senior has thrown for 41 touchdowns and 21 interceptions with 5,850 yards in two seasons with the Irish.
If rumor is true and Golson is indeed leaving, the starting nod will almost surely go to Zaire for the 2015 campaign. Notre Dame opens the season at home September 5 against the Texas Longhorns.
UPDATE 12:17 P.M.: Head Coach Brian Kelly has released a statement regarding Golson’s departure from the university, confirming the transfer rumors.
“I’d like to thank Everett Golson for all he did as a member of our football program. He had many significant achievements, including helping us to an undefeated regular season and berth into the national title game.
But his most important accomplishment is completing his course work toward a degree from the University of Notre Dame. I wish him all the best moving forward. We, of course, have approached our preparations for the upcoming season with this possibility in mind.
The emergence of Malik Zaire, based on his performance in the Music City Bowl win over LSU, and throughout spring practice, has given our staff supreme confidence that he can lead our team to great success in 2015.”
UPDATE 7:11 P.M.: Former Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson released a statement Saturday afternoon announcing his intentions to transfer to another school for his final year of eligibility. No word yet as to where Golson will be heading, but here is his statement:
“After much thought, prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided that it is in my best interest to graduate from Notre Dame and transfer to another school effective immediately. I would like to thank everyone at Notre Dame for the opportunity to compete at the highest level of college football, but most importantly to obtain my degree from one of the finest universities in the country. To all the Fighting Irish fans I want to thank you for your support over the past four years and let you know I truly love Notre Dame! To my former teammates, who I will miss tremendously, I wish much success in the future and will be your biggest fan from afar. I will have no further comment at this time and ask that you respect my time as I figure out this life changing moment. God has a plan for each of us and I ask for your prayers as I move forward in this new journey in my life!”
