FSU has the room, and at worst, Golson would offer experienced depth.
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson is transferring after failing to secure the starting job out of spring, losing out to Malik Zaire. Now a report from Steve Wiltfong and JC Shurburtt of 247sports says Florida State is the destination for the QB.
"Barring a last-minute change of heart or any influence from elsewhere, [Florida State’s] where he’s headed," one source said.
Wiltfong has strong connections to Notre Dame, and Shurburtt is from South Carolina, Golson's home state. Both factors lend credence to the report.
This is different from what 247sports' Josh Newberg wrote on May 7.
"I spoke to a source shortly after the news broke and I'm told FSU is not, and will not, be involved with Golson," Newberg wrote.
That is similar to what Tomahawk Nation was hearing at the time when we wrote:
" ... so far there is no indication that FSU is pursuing Golson," though no source gave a "no way" type indication.
Fourth-year junior Sean Maguire is seen as the strong frontrunner for the starting job, given that no other quarterback took a single rep with the first team in the spring game.
But while Maguire left spring with a strong grip on the job, that does not necessarily mean he'll be a strong starting QB for the Seminoles. At the very least, Golson could provide competition and experienced depth -- something FSU is quite short on.
Golson comes with questions of his own.
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.
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.
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.
In an interesting note on leverage, Notre Dame has the power to block Golson from transferring to certain schools, and SEC schools might not even be allowed to take him, by rule. With his options already limited, it's possible that FSU could get Golson without having to promise him a starting spot.