Everett Golson remains one of the most polarizing figures to ever take a snap under the Golden Dome. One minute, he was the dual-threat savior who led a magical, undefeated regular season in 2012. The next, he was gone. Vanished from the roster due to an "academic violation" that felt like a gut punch to a fan base already reeling from a blowout loss to Alabama in the BCS National Championship.
He came back, sure. But it wasn't the same. The magic had a leak in it. By the time the Everett Golson Notre Dame quarterback era ended with a transfer to Florida State, most Irish fans were left scratching their heads. Was he a superstar who got in his own way, or a product of a specific moment in South Bend history?
The 2012 Run and the High of South Bend
Honestly, people forget how shaky that 2012 season started. Golson wasn't some polished Heisman candidate from day one. He was a redshirt freshman battling Tommy Rees. Brian Kelly was basically playing musical chairs with his quarterbacks.
But then, the Stanford game happened.
In a downpour, Golson helped orchestrate a goal-line stand for the ages. Then came the Oklahoma game. Going into Norman and winning was the moment everyone realized this kid was different. He had this escapeability that Notre Dame hadn't seen in years. He wasn't just a runner; he was a playmaker who could flick the ball 50 yards while rolling to his left. He finished that regular season with 12 wins and 0 losses.
Then came the cliff.
The 42-14 drubbing by Alabama in the title game was a reality check. Golson looked like a freshman. The Tide defense, led by Nick Saban, made him look small. Still, the future looked bright. Until May 2013.
The Academic Suspension That Changed Everything
In the spring of 2013, the news dropped like a bomb: Everett Golson was no longer enrolled at Notre Dame.
The school was vague. Federal privacy laws and all that. But Golson eventually came clean in an interview with Sports Illustrated. He cheated on a test. He called it "poor academic judgment." It sounds simple, but at a place like Notre Dame, the Honor Code is a massive deal. It doesn't matter if you're the starting quarterback or a chem major; if you get caught, you’re out.
He spent the 2013 season in exile. While Tommy Rees moved the chains and the Irish went 9-4, Golson was in California working with quarterback guru George Whitfield Jr. He was private. He was focused. He was supposed to be the "new and improved" version for 2014.
The 2014 Rollercoaster and the "Turnover Bug"
When he returned in 2014, Golson looked like a god for about five weeks. He set a school record against Syracuse by completing 25 consecutive passes. Basically, he couldn't miss. Notre Dame climbed to No. 5 in the country.
Then the fumbles started. And the interceptions.
It was bizarre. He had 22 turnovers that year. Think about that. You can't win big games when your quarterback is a giveaway machine. The low point was likely the Arizona State game where he turned it over four times.
Coach Brian Kelly, never known for his patience, eventually had enough. By the Music City Bowl against LSU, the staff started leaning on a young Malik Zaire. Golson saw the writing on the wall. He had his degree, which meant he could use the graduate transfer rule to leave without sitting out.
Why He Left for Florida State
Golson didn't leave because he hated Notre Dame. He left because he lost his job.
He told reporters later that he just needed a "fresh start." He landed at Florida State to replace Jameis Winston. It seemed like a perfect fit—a veteran QB joining a powerhouse. But the turnover issues followed him to Tallahassee. He eventually lost the starting job there, too, to Sean Maguire.
Looking back, Golson’s career is a tale of "what if." What if he hadn't been suspended in 2013? Would he have developed the maturity to protect the football? We'll never know.
Key Stats from the Golson Era:
- 2012 Record: 12-1 (Started 11 games)
- Career Passing Yards at ND: 5,850
- Career Passing TDs at ND: 41
- The Streak: 25 consecutive completions vs. Syracuse (2014)
- The Downside: 14 interceptions and 8 lost fumbles in 2014 alone
Where Is Everett Golson Now?
After college, Golson had a brief stint in the CFL with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but never made the leap to the NFL. It’s a quiet end for a guy who once stood on the sideline of a National Championship game with the weight of South Bend on his shoulders.
Most people remember the 2012 run as the Manti Te'o year. And it was. But without Golson’s ability to extend plays and hit deep shots, that team probably drops two or three games. He was the spark that made the engine go, even if that engine eventually stalled out.
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If you're looking to understand the modern era of Notre Dame football, you have to look at Golson. He was the bridge between the mediocre years and the consistent winning of the late Brian Kelly era. He showed that a dual-threat QB could win in South Bend, paving the way for guys like Brandon Wimbush and Ian Book later on.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Historians:
- Review the Tape: If you want to see Golson at his peak, watch the 2014 Syracuse game. It is a masterclass in rhythm passing.
- Context Matters: When discussing his legacy, remember the 2013 suspension wasn't just a "football" move—it was a strict adherence to the university's academic integrity policy that likely cost the team a better season.
- Appreciate the 2012 Run: Don't let the Alabama loss overshadow the fact that Golson led an unranked team to a #1 ranking in a single season.
The Everett Golson Notre Dame quarterback story isn't a tragedy, but it is a "glory days" story with a very complicated middle chapter. He remains a reminder that in college sports, talent gets you on the field, but consistency keeps you there.