Golson chooses Florida State

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida State landed the services of a player who nearly single-handedly beat the Seminoles last year: former Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson.

Golson announced his decision to leave South Bend on Tuesday, ending months of speculation about where the former Fighting Irish starter would land after he publicly declared last year that he wanted to play his final season elsewhere.

Golson graduated from Notre Dame on Sunday, making him eligible to immediately transfer to any Division I program, per NCAA rules.

“I cannot wait to get started,” Golson, who came one play from knocking off No. 2 FSU last fall before Notre Dame lost 31-27, told Fox Sports shortly after the announcement. “To coach Jimbo Fisher, the Florida State football team, staff, alumni and fans, thank you for allowing me to become part of the Seminoles family.”

Golson’s arrival immediately improves Florida State’s quarterback situation, which was riddled with uncertainty after the departure of Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston, a sophomore who left school early and was ultimately chosen No. 1 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in last month’s NFL Draft.

Before Golson, Florida State appeared ready to turn to junior Sean Maguire, whose brief stints subbing for Winston last year were shaky, completing 38 of 70 passes for 455 yards and three touchdowns with four interceptions.

Maguire has started just one game in his career. Meanwhile, Golson has 25 starts under his belt, including in the 2012 BCS National Championship game, which the Irish lost to Alabama.

Golson, a dual-threat quarterback that Florida State hasn’t seen in years, missed the 2013 season because of an academic violation but returned with a vengeance last season, passing for 3,445 yards and 29 touchdowns. He also rushed for eight touchdowns.

In the Fighting Irish’s loss to the Seminoles on Oct. 18. Golson was 31-of-52 passing for 313 yards and three scores.

Golson’s mobility was a huge problem even for Florida State’s speedy defense, and there was little doubt after that game he captured the attention of Fisher, who praised Golson for standing “toe to toe” win Winston and compared their battle with “Ali/Frazier, Thrilla in Manilla.”

“Their quarterback is a heck of a player,” Fisher said of Golson after the win.

There are concerns about Golson’s propensity for turning the ball over; he had 22 last year. However, Winston wasn’t far behind Golson with 20, and the Seminoles seemed to manage.

While it isn’t clear if Golson was promised the starting job at Florida State, it’s clearly his to lose going into the fall as he instantly become the most accomplished quarterback on the Seminoles’ roster.

The South Carolina native briefly considered other schools, such as the Gamecocks, the University of Florida and Georgia before picking Florida State.

“The support I’ve received there (Notre Dame) over the past four years has helped strengthen my integrity, wisdom and character,” he said Tuesday. “I would like to thank all of the coaches who spent time speaking with me these past few weeks and considered adding me to their football programs.”

One of the reasons Golson likely chose Florida State is because the ACC has no restrictions on accepting graduate transfers. The SEC does, and there were questions whether the SEC would grant a waiver had he picked a program in that conference.

Golson joins a Florida State program that has gone 27-1 during the past two seasons and won three straight ACC titles. And while many college football analysts considered the Seminoles to be in rebuilding mode entering this season, Golson once again puts them in the conversation.

Florida State’s players seem to be excited about that.

“YESSSSS!!! Welcome to the family EG!,” Seminoles star returner and defensive back Jalen Ramsey tweeted after the announcement. “#Nolenation The Rich Keep Getting Richer!”