Reports surfaced this week that former Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson was in the Sunshine State to visit both the University of Florida and Florida State. Both teams are looking for answers at the quarterback position and seem to be giving the senior play-caller a look despite only one year of eligibility remaining.
Florida Gator fans should welcome Everett Golson
In order to transfer to the Gators, or any other SEC school, Golson would need to be granted a waiver from the league due to an SEC bylaw, something that could end up being a major complication.
Golson was suspended for the entire 2013 season due to academic dishonesty after being accused of cheating on an exam. He spent the year away from the team and returned in 2014, playing without incident. It would still be a big hurdle for any potential SEC school to receive a waiver from the conference allowing Golson to be eligible.
I expected Gator fans to be split on the decision, but I found that the vast majority were in favor of passing on Golson and getting the Will Grier era started this fall. Another group would even call to allow Treon Harris to continue building on what he did this past season and still pass on Golson. I didn’t find very many ready to embrace the transfer.
I believe this is largely because of recent reports of Grier playing very well this spring, and even likely passing Treon Harris as the front runner for the starting position despite Harris’ advantage in game experience. These fans are ready to hand the reins to the young guy and allow him to develop in new head coach Jim McElwain’s system. They have embraced the change and are ready to dive in head-first. I completely get it.
This is a hard position to argue and it is likely what would benefit the Gators the most in the long-term. I can totally understand that, and I was even part of that camp (unless the Gators had been able to get Braxton Miller). However, it can also be argued that McElwain and his staff need to change the perception of this program among high school football talent NOW, and winning on the field this fall is what would appeal to recruits the most. Taking a quick look at the schedule, it appears to be a monumental task and something he may feel more comfortable confronting with an experienced quarterback.
Now that Everett Golson has shown his interest, the team is doing its due diligence and making sure they are looking at every possible way to make this team better. Now, I am not saying to bring Golson in at the expense of Will Grier possibly transferring. I wouldn’t want to see either man transfer, but that is likely to happen once one finally wins the job full-time anyway; if Harris were to be the ultimate casualty from this, I would have to accept it. However, I think he could benefit greatly as well and would like to see him redshirt this season and make the most of working alongside Golson. I would also want the coaching staff to discuss this with Grier prior, assuring him that he is going to be given every chance to be the man for his final three years, and make sure he is comfortable with a full year to learn the offensive system.
Everett Golson would be bringing a ton of experience and a winning pedigree to the position. It was just three years ago he led Notre Dame to an undefeated regular season and a BCS National Championship appearance far ahead of anyone’s expectations under coach Brian Kelly. He struggled with turnovers after his academic suspension, but also improved in many other offensive categories. Coach McElwain is a sound offensive mind and has always been able to help his quarterbacks limit their turnovers and lead an efficient offense. He could be the perfect guy to help Golson get the turnover bug out of his system and emphasis his strengths.
The Gators will be putting a patchwork offensive line out there this season, with a number of freshmen likely to start, and will need a guy who can stay composed and overcome adversity at the position. Whoever ends up being the starter is likely to take his lumps, and allowing someone with a slightly more mature frame to be on the receiving end of some of those hits may be what’s best for this season. Golson’s veteran presence can also be a calming influence on a young offensive line in a hostile environment like the Gators will face when they travel to Missouri and LSU in back-to-back weeks in early October.
The schedule as a whole did coach McElwain no favors with the ten- year winning streak against Tennessee on the line in late September and 2014 SEC West powerhouse Ole Miss the following Saturday. After those two big challenges, McElwain will take his team on back-to-back road trips to Missouri and LSU before getting a bye prior to his first taste of the annual Jacksonville (formerly the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party) battle against Georgia. This is all before South Carolina and Florida State in the final month of the season. It’s a brutal schedule as always for the Gators and McElwain will do what he thinks is best to give his team the best chance to navigate it successfully.
Everett Golson has shown that he can be successful and I can see why they brought him in for a visit. In just two games against the SEC Golson completed 27-of-47 passes for 360 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. It’s a small sample size. His career numbers at Notre Dame were 443-of-745 passes for 5,850 passing yards, 581 rushing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, 14 rushing touchdowns, and 20 interceptions.
I am one Gator fan who is hoping that he does choose Gainsville and the waiver is granted. I am as excited for the Will Grier era as anyone, but starting a freshman with that schedule may not be the best idea. Not to mention, if Grier is that damn good and ready already at this point in his career, he can beat Golson out in camp, right?
I think having Golson on the team would be beneficial for both young quarterbacks, whether he ends up taking the bulk of the snaps or not. Treon Harris is a very similar player and could benefit from working closely with someone who has been in some big games and also had to face adversity off the field. It is something that could be valuable for Harris. It would also keep Golson away from some of the Gators direct competition next season which would also be a direct benefit for McElwain and his team. Everyone on the team could benefit from this marriage and it is one that I hope comes to fruition.
SOUTH BEND, IN – SEPTEMBER 06: Everett Golson #5 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish passes as Chris Wormley #43 of the Michigan Wolverines chases at Notre Dame Stadium on September 6, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won the game 31-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
