On Campus: Gun for hire

May 12, 2015 - 3:06 PM Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - Former Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson has decided to transfer, so let the bidding begin.

Golson burst on the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2012, leading Notre Dame to the national championship game (although the Irish defense was the main reason for the team's success). He then missed an entire year for academic violations, returning to the lineup last season.

Over his two seasons with the team, the 6-foot Golson passed for 5,850 yards and 41 touchdowns with 20 interceptions.

It was a mixed bag last season as Golson threw for 3,445 yards and 29 touchdowns, while rushing for an additional eight scores. However, he was a turnover machine, guilty of a whopping 22 miscues, including 14 interceptions.

It didn't end well for Golson, who was benched in the regular season finale, a 49-14 drubbing at the hands of USC. That gave way to Malik Zaire getting the nod in the Music City Bowl win over LSU.

The struggles and perceived loss of a job have prompted Golson's transfer.

"I would like to thank everyone at Notre Dame for the opportunity to compete at the highest level of college football, but, most importantly, to obtain my degree from one of the finest universities in the country," Golson said in a prepared statement to Fox Sports.

"To all the Fighting Irish fans, I want to thank you for the support over the past four years and let you know I truly love Notre Dame! To my former teammates, who I will miss tremendously, I wish much success in the future and will be your biggest fan from afar."

Golson's next destination is up in the air right now. As a graduate transfer, he is not bound by the NCAA transfer rules and will be immediately eligible to compete in 2015.

However, that doesn't necessarily mean he can play just anywhere. Notre Dame has the ability to limit Golson's travel destination to some degree. It was originally speculated that Notre Dame would block a transfer to any team on the Irish's 2015 schedule as well as a couple high-profile Big Ten schools.

However, at the recent ACC meetings in Amelia Island, Florida, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick refuted that notion.

"It's just not true," Swarbrick said at the ACC spring meetings. "The way this process works is a student identifies schools they would like to consider and we have not denied a single school that Everett Golson identified as one he has an interest in going to."

Golson reportedly had a list of 10 Power 5 programs, although the short list seems to now include Alabama, Florida State and South Carolina, with Florida State looking to be the front runner.

It makes a lot of sense.

A move to an SEC school would require a waiver by the conference, as Golson's academic suspension goes against the SEC's bylaws regarding graduate transfers.

Joining the Seminoles, though, could be a match made in heaven.

Jimbo Fisher doesn't have an heir apparent to Jameis Winston under center. Sean Maguire is the most seasoned player on the roster, but doesn't possess star power. Fisher's other alternatives are young gun slingers who may not be ready to jump into action right away.

Golson could provide a one-year bridge while finishing his collegiate career playing for a national title contender.

One-year quarterbacks have had great success of late in the FBS. Cam Newton led Auburn to a national title at Auburn and Russell Wilson put the finishing touches on a strong collegiate resume at Wisconsin.

Picking the right spot is the key. It will take the ideal situation for Golson to follow in their footsteps.