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Friday, March 29, 2024
The Observer

Golson to transfer for final season

Senior quarterback Everett Golson will transfer away from Notre Dame after graduating next week, he announced Thursday in a statement to Fox Sports.



Graduate student quarterback Everett Golson prepares to receive a snap during Saturday’s Blue-Gold Game at LaBar Practice Complex.
Erin Rice | The Observer
Erin Rice | The Observer
Graduate student quarterback Everett Golson prepares to receive a snap during the Blue-Gold Game on April 18 at LaBar Practice Complex.


"After much thought, prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided that it is in my best interest to graduate from Notre Dame and transfer to another school effectively immediately," Golson said.

Golson, who started the first 12 games for the Irish in 2014 but was benched during the final regular season game against USC in favor of sophomore Malik Zaire, said he is still unsure of where he will play next season. As a graduate, he will be eligible to play immediately wherever he goes. 

Irish head coach Brian Kelly thanked Golson for his work with Notre Dame in a statement and said he will "wish him all the best moving forward."

“We, of course, have approached our preparations for the upcoming season with this possibility in mind," Kelly said. "The emergence of Malik Zaire, based on his performance in the Music City Bowl win over LSU, and throughout spring practice, has given our staff supreme confidence that he can lead our team to great success in 2015.”

Zaire and Golson split time under center during Notre Dame's 31-28 Music City Bowl win over LSU on Dec. 30, and the two received equal reps with the first team offense throughout spring practice. Kelly declined to name one the favorite over the other during spring play and following the Blue-Gold Game on April 18.

In 2012, Golson led the Irish to an undefeated regular season and their first national championship game appearance since 1988, where the squad fell to Alabama, 42-14. That May, Golson was suspended from the University for the 2013 fall semester for academic reasons and missed Notre Dame's 8-5 season.