Advertisement

FSU names Everett Golson as starting quarterback

 
Everett Golson led Notre Dame to the 2012 national championship game.
Everett Golson led Notre Dame to the 2012 national championship game.
Published Sept. 1, 2015

Florida State's month-long quarterback competition ended Monday evening when coach Jimbo Fisher officially named Everett Golson the starter for Saturday's season opener against Texas State.

Golson, a graduate transfer from Notre Dame, beat redshirt junior Sean Maguire to earn the job and the right to replace former Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston.

Fisher said the decision was difficult because both quarterbacks performed well and showed good leadership. Both have played in big games: Golson took the Fighting Irish to the national title game after the 2012 season, and Maguire won his only start, last season's overtime triumph over Clemson.

But Golson impressed Fisher with his ability to grasp the new offense quickly, make the right reads and run when necessary.

"He can do everything we need to do," Fisher told reporters after Monday's practice.

The 6-foot, 199-pound Golson is new to FSU but not new to Seminoles fans. In his last game at Doak Campbell Stadium, he threw for 313 yards in Notre Dame's 31-27 loss to FSU.

In Golson's 25 games at Notre Dame, he threw for 5,850 yards and 41 touchdowns. The South Carolina native also rushed for 581 yards and 14 scores.

Despite the close battle, Fisher said Golson won't be in danger of losing his starting spot quickly.

"I'm not going to short-leash anybody," Fisher said. "When I played, I don't want somebody looking over my shoulder every mistake I made. I don't coach that way. In the end, I'll put the guy in the game that I think can win the football game."

Saturday, that will be Golson.