There is no indication that Florida State is pursuing Everett Golson, but fans on social media are interested.
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson is a college graduate and is eligible to transfer. Could Florida State be an option? Should Florida State be an option?
The reasons why Golson would want to transfer to Florida State are obvious. FSU has an opening with the loss of Jameis Winston, and no proven backup. Sean Maguire is clearly the leader, but did not impress in the spring game. And more importantly for someone in Golson's position, Jimbo Fisher's quarterbacks get drafted. Over and over and over. For Golson, having experience in something resembling an NFL system, as opposed to the spread run at Notre Dame, could help his draft stock quite a bit.
But would Golson be a good fit at Florida State?
The upside is clearly there. Golson has a very strong arm, and is very mobile. If everything clicks, he could pick up FSU's system and perhaps lead the team to another ACC title in what many expect to be a rebuilding year after sending almost 30 players to the NFL draft in the last three years, a record for a three-year period. Golson gets drafted as a QB, and not as an athlete, etc.
But this is no slam dunk, even if FSU is Golson's choice, and so far there is no indication that FSU is pursuing Golson.
Despite his physical skills, Golson was also a turnover machine against Power 5 competition, throwing more than an interception per game and adding 12 fumbles. He had five games in which he failed to hit the 7 yards/attempt mark, and was a 55 percent or worse passer in more than half of his games against the Power 5. And he was suspended for the 2013 season for academic dishonesty.
Questions abound.
Can he actually pick up a pro-style offense? How well? What sort of promises about operating within a pro-style offense, and not resorting to relying on Golson's legs would Fisher have to make to entice the QB to come to Tallahassee? And what happens if Golson is unable to pick up the offense and the best plan is to run Golson a lot. Would the QB, who is likely trying to get drafted as a QB thanks to experience in a pro-style offense, bristle at the idea? Would he be alright with running a lot more than the typical pro-style QB? FSU fans saw what happened in 2011 and 2012 when QB EJ Manuel seemingly refused to run with the ball despite his legs being a far, far bigger weapon than his arm.
There's also the major question of Golson being able to throw from the pocket in a pro-style offense at his height. Golson routinely had passes batted at the line of scrimmage and struggled to see the middle of the field over his lineman at Notre Dame. He might need wide throwing windows, something that you don't get with a pro-style offense.
Then there are questions about locker room chemistry, etc.
Florida State does have roster space, and it is worth noting that the Seminoles are also after Notre Dame grad Transfer Matthew Hegarty, a center.