'11 SC QB Everett Golson (FSU transfer)

[stlnd01]

I wish him well. He made a mistake, owned it, fought through it, came back, got his degree. I respect the hell out of this kid. Plus, he was on one of the most exciting Irish teams in maybe the last 18 or so years. He is a great athlete, I enjoyed watching him. Good luck to him, he has character.

All of this. And yet at the same time I can't help but be a little disappointed. I thought he had more chest (to use a Les Milesism) than that.
Right now he's a better QB than Malik - at least based on what we've seen - and his upside for 2015 is higher. Yeah, he had nothing guaranteed, and maybe the way last year ended stuck in his head. But I kind of wish he'd fought for the job and let the chips fall where they may. As for his NFL career, if he really can't beat out Malik Zaire he's not going to have much of one, and it's not like the scouts don't have two years of game tape to watch already.
That said, he's an exciting ballplayer and seems like a good kid, who stuck it out when he could've taken an easier road. Will be rooting for him for sure.

 

[Irish YJ]

Golson isn't an NFL QB at this point. Too much like a lawn chair....

Frankly, I'm glad he decided to put an egg in his shoe an beat it. He torpedoed the 2013 season due to bad decisions and in 2014 he basically gave up against USC. That was hands down the worst QB performance I've seen from an ND QB since 2007. Add to that the fact that kids who were getting it done in the classroom but struggled on the field got benched while he struggled with both and didn't and it makes for bad team chemistry. With all that in mind I'm finding it hard to be upset about this.

You might not think he is, I might not think he is. But I guarantee you he thinks he is. And that is the driving force here IMO. Regardless of what either of us thinks, he'll likely land in a good spot, and as well, or better than he would here at ND. He'll likely compete in the SEC East, which is wide open. Very possible he could be fighting for an SEC Championship. Let's not forget, before the season tanked last year, he was up there in the Heisman voting. He's following a path that he deems best for his dreams. I can't fault him for that. I wish him well.

PS... I'm not upset either. Go MZ.

 

[Irish YJ]

All of this. And yet at the same time I can't help but be a little disappointed. I thought he had more chest (to use a Les Milesism) than that.
Right now he's a better QB than Malik - at least based on what we've seen - and his upside for 2015 is higher. Yeah, he had nothing guaranteed, and maybe the way last year ended stuck in his head. But I kind of wish he'd fought for the job and let the chips fall where they may. As for his NFL career, if he really can't beat out Malik Zaire he's not going to have much of one, and it's not like the scouts don't have two years of game tape to watch already.
That said, he's an exciting ballplayer and seems like a good kid, who stuck it out when he could've taken an easier road. Will be rooting for him for sure.

I think he's already beat out MZ. But I think we all know regardless, BK is going to play two QBs. That's not good for what he deems as his last chance to show he is the man, and can make it in the NFL. Again, I don't think he'll have an NFL career as a QB, but stranger things have happened and he's doing what he thinks is best for his shot in the NFL. He's got a degree, so he made the 40 year decision, and he's achieved what a lot of kids will never do.

 

[West Coast Domer]

What sucks is Kizer could have been getting 2nd team reps in the fall but oh well. This season Run the damn ball Kelly.

 

[Irish YJ]

What sucks is Kizer could have been getting 2nd team reps in the fall but oh well. This season Run the damn ball Kelly.

Good point

 

[stlnd01]

I think he's already beat out MZ. But I think we all know regardless, BK is going to play two QBs. That's not good for what he deems as his last chance to show he is the man, and can make it in the NFL. Again, I don't think he'll have an NFL career as a QB, but stranger things have happened and he's doing what he thinks is best for his shot in the NFL. He's got a degree, so he made the 40 year decision, and he's achieved what a lot of kids will never do.

So you think he was going to be the starter, but left because he was going to be 1A in a two-QB system? And he thought he'd have a better shot at the NFL somewhere else as a full-time QB1?

I guess. But NFL scouts aren't dummies. They see what a kid can do even if he only gets two-thirds of the snaps. Golson's got plenty of footage and experience against quality defenses. And unless we are completely revamping the offense, he would have still gotten lots of throws.

As for his shot at the NFL, we don't know where he's going, but the SEC schools he's been linked to (LSU, SCar) aren't exactly quarterback factories. Maybe FSU or Florida. But even there, he'll still be short. We'll see.

 

[Irish YJ]

So you think he was going to be the starter, but left because he was going to be 1A in a two-QB system? And he thought he'd have a better shot at the NFL somewhere else as a full-time QB1?

I guess. But NFL scouts aren't dummies. They see what a kid can do even if he only gets two-thirds of the snaps. Golson's got plenty of footage and experience against quality defenses. And unless we are completely revamping the offense, he would have still gotten lots of throws.

As for his shot at the NFL, we don't know where he's going, but the SEC schools he's been linked to (LSU, SCar) aren't exactly quarterback factories. Maybe FSU or Florida. But even there, he'll still be short. We'll see.

NFL scouts are not dummies. But for giggles,,,,,, Let's say he has a terrific year at UGA, wins the SEC East, and has a good bowl game. Then the conversation could turn to "well, were his challenges a product of BKs system, or BK putting too much on a QB". At this point, a lot could happen. But, his jump could pay off. I'm not saying he'd go 1st round or anything even if he did have a good year. But it could mean a second or third round pick instead of undrafted FA. stranger sheeite has happened.

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

So you think he was going to be the starter, but left because he was going to be 1A in a two-QB system? And he thought he'd have a better shot at the NFL somewhere else as a full-time QB1?

I guess. But NFL scouts aren't dummies. They see what a kid can do even if he only gets two-thirds of the snaps. Golson's got plenty of footage and experience against quality defenses. And unless we are completely revamping the offense, he would have still gotten lots of throws.

As for his shot at the NFL, we don't know where he's going, but the SEC schools he's been linked to (LSU, SCar) aren't exactly quarterback factories. Maybe FSU or Florida. But even there, he'll still be short. We'll see.

Unless he's a Heisman Trophy nominee next year, no way he gets picked by the NFL before the 5-6 rounds. As of this point he's a practice squad member at best in the NFL.

 

[ulukinatme]

I wonder now if the 2014 season would have gone any different if Golson never came back and Zaire got all the reps. He'd be more polished for 2015 of course, and maybe we lose one early game in that 6-0 run, but we probably win a few more in the back 6 by holding onto the ball more and taking the pressure off the defense.

 

[ThePiombino]

No just his consigliere.




My statement is 100% accurate. He was nearly perfect. He put 14 of 15 where they needed to be and 2 of the 3 incompletions shoulda / coulda been caught by Robinson. The one bad ball he threw was a completely overthrown bomb that no one had a chance to catch. If anything, that kept the DB's honest for EG's next 4 passes where he completed 3 for 36 yards.

If MZ passes like that every game this fall, ND will be the National Champs.

.

I could go 12 for 15 too if I wasn't asked to throw the ball more than 10 yards. Don't kid yourself- MZ has A LOT to prove in the passing game.

 

[BobbyMac]

I could go 12 for 15 too if I wasn't asked to throw the ball more than 10 yards. Don't kid yourself- MZ has A LOT to prove in the passing game.

Well 5 of the 15 passes were for more than 10 yards and 4 of them were right where they needed to be. I didn't say anything different.

No one says he doesn't have to prove himself over the long haul but he hasn't done anything to warrant the undeserved doubt that many are expressing. There's no reason to believe he's the second coming of Bobby Douglas.

.

 

[ThePiombino]

Well 5 of the 15 passes were for more than 10 yards and 4 of them were right where they needed to be. I didn't say anything different.

No one says he doesn't have to prove himself over the long haul but he hasn't done anything to warrant the undeserved doubt that many are expressing. There's no reason to believe he's the second coming of Bobby Douglas.

.

Go watch the spring game again and report back. His passing game gives us enough to be concerned about. Not saying he can't or won't progress, but it's a SIGNIFICANT step back from what Golson can do.

 

[dublinirish]

it kinda looks strange now that EG stuck around for spring ball.

 

[BobbyMac]

Go watch the spring game again and report back. His passing game gives us enough to be concerned about. Not saying he can't or won't progress, but it's a SIGNIFICANT step back from what Golson can do {B}[passing][/B].

Ok, now we've moved on to something else because the game that I was referring to was almost perfect through the air. All right, I'll give you his spring game this year wasn't as good as his spring game last year or the bowl game which was again, a real game against a good defense.

In regards to your new point. My opinion is Golson is better when it comes to the variety of passes he can make at this time. I do not worry about MZ's arm strength. I have no idea if Malik will be as careless with the ball as Golson was but he hasn't failed yet, EG did, many times. He's obviously a better runner. He's obviously a better leader, He's blemish free except for all the things some fans are afraid he can't do.

MZ's many pluses outweigh EG's one plus in my opinion and he is the face of this program for 3 straight seasons. It will be nice to finally have continuity at QB.

That being said, I will repeat... I wish EG had wanted to stay but if he wasn't on board 100% with a split role then I'm glad he's gone only because there is less chance for a divided locker room. Now I'll go a step farther, I wish he never would've came back as it set Malik back a year in development and 2015's schedule is the easiest of the next 3 years. It also stopped Kizer from taking more meaningful snaps in practice over a full season and with Wimbush here, I'm not concerned with Kizer's redshirt being preserved.

I think we should be focusing on the things Malik will always do better than Golson over the one thing that Golson currently does better than Malik.

I'm gonna go watch some Tommy Frazier and Tony Rice clips now to remind myself how even below average passing / good running QB's can be successful when placed behind a good OL with a good running game to depend on and game changers on the outside to pass to when the D commits to stop you on the ground.

.

 

[alohagoirish]

Golson ---6000 plus yards and 50 TDs with one title appearance

Malik---400 yards and 1 TD

Malik is a fine looking QB but he has not played a complete game and started once.

Accolades seem to be falling all over Malik , he is a great leader , the team rallys behind him, he has a great arm, he doesn't turn the ball over , he hits the long pass , he's the next Tim Tebow etc etc etc

Clausen, Quinn, Crist, Golson , none of those QBs drew these kinds of accolades from a single game.....

Malik needs to earn all this praise, he has to bring his team from behind , has to perform when the opposition stops the run game, has to perform in death valley without choking, has to beat USC, has to prove himself as a passer under pressure in clear passing situations etc etc etc.

I think Malik has some terrific potential but it has to be proven on the field in a wide variety of settings over at least one complete season.

 

[NDRock]

I only wish that he transferred before Spring practice as all indications were that Kizer got very little work. Now we are going to have to get him ready.

 

[dublinirish]

I only wish that he transferred before Spring practice as all indications were that Kizer got very little work. Now we are going to have to get him ready.

i think he needed to graduate first (which is this month)

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Golson ---6000 plus yards and 50 TDs with one title appearance

Malik---400 yards and 1 TD

Malik is a fine looking QB but he has not played a complete game and started once.

Accolades seem to be falling all over Malik , he is a great leader , the team rallys behind him, he has a great arm, he doesn't turn the ball over , he hits the long pass , he's the next Tim Tebow etc etc etc

Clausen, Quinn, Crist, Golson , none of those QBs drew these kinds of accolades from a single game.....

Malik needs to earn all this praise, he has to bring his team from behind , has to perform when the opposition stops the run game, has to perform in death valley without choking, has to beat USC, has to prove himself as a passer under pressure in clear passing situations etc etc etc.

I think Malik has some terrific potential but it has to be proven on the field in a wide variety of settings over at least one complete season.

This is a good post and I agree. I was going to post something similar this morning, but now I don't have to.

The first game MZ brings the team from behind and makes all kinds of plays with his arm if the defense has stopped the run will be the game that solidifies my confidence in him. Until then, he's a proven play maker and leader with one impressive game under his belt.

 

[NDRock]

i think he needed to graduate first (which is this month)

Good point.

 

[dublinirish]

Good point.

i guess he could have told the staff he didn't want to participate because he planned on transferring. this could have let the staff move and get Kizer more reps
Or maybe he only made up his mind after the spring game. We won't know til later really

 

[adsnorri]

With Malik at QB, can we just copy the OSU game plan.....Haha

I understand that Malik must make some plays with his arm for us but I think it is being a little over exaggerated. Look at OSU and how they ran the ball. If you force the defense to play the run, the pass becomes much easier and he can make plays with his arm.

Also, we are only basing our projections off a small sample size with Malik but he was invited to the elite 11 when he was a senior in high school. Which is a really nice accolade among others he received. I think he will be just fine if Kelly (hopefully Sanford) will design a run heavy/option read offense with play action tendencies.

RUN THE DAMN BALL. IF we can get 2-3 yards every play, 3rd down will be where Malik's play making abilities will shine. He can make plays in the short/medium passing game and also can run for the 1st down with his size/awareness and speed.

If Malik gets hurt, we are in trouble but that is a whole different subject.

 

[dublinirish]

realistically with the depth and experience ND has right now, BK can't run the ball heavily with MZ. He just won't last the season being asked to take hits like that.

 

[wizards8507]

Golson ---6000 plus yards and 50 TDs with one title appearance

Malik---400 yards and 1 TD

That's garbage logic based on cherry-picked statistics.

Tommy Rees - 7,000 plus yards and 61 TDs with one title appearance

Inexperience at the quarterback position is not as much of a nightmare scenario as people would have you believe. When every single team's roster is made up of 18 to 22 year olds, the experience gap only matters so much. We see teams all across the country with stud freshman who come in and produce immediately. Why not us? Honestly, the way some people are talking you'd think we're going from Tom Brady to Jimmy Garoppolo.

 

[Huntr]

That's garbage logic based on cherry-picked statistics.

Tommy Rees - 7,000 plus yards and 61 TDs with one title appearance

Inexperience at the quarterback position is not as much of a nightmare scenario as people would have you believe. When every single team's roster is made up of 18 to 22 year olds, the experience gap only matters so much. We see teams all across the country with stud freshman who come in and produce immediately. Why not us? Honestly, the way some people are talking you'd think we're going from Tom Brady to Jimmy Garoppolo.

Holy shit I agree w/Wizards.

Kinda early in the day to knock off work and start drinkin, but I may have to.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

A) MZ won't have as many come from behind victories on his resume. With MZ at quarterback, expect a more dominating offensive performance out of the chute.

B) This spring was fairly fubar to begin with, DeShone Kizer, understandably, was not in a position to take much more than was put on his plate.

C) EG had to meet the terms of his scholarship, which means he had to participate in team activities until he graduated. Otherwise he would have lost his scholarship, and possibly not graduated. If he played it any different, it would have been to his detriment. And I would bet that this was something in the works for a while, and really didn't catch anyone by surprise.

D) Especially if you noticed the players reactions to the quarterbacks in the Spring Game. They all knew it was way up in the air.

E) I want someone to name a situation where a true freshman walked in as a starting quarterback and things went smoothly. Conversely, the idea of Malik being the same as a typical one game starter is false. In addition with the o-line, and skill player development, especially CJ Prosise, Malik may get some multi-dimensional support that previous quarterbacks may not have had!

 

[FDNYIrish1]

go back and read the ASU and USC game threads. You will feel much better about this.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Clausen, Quinn, Crist, Golson , none of those QBs drew these kinds of accolades from a single game.....

Clausen and (to a lesser extent) Crist drew these kinds of accolades before throwing a single collegiate pass.

 

[CrystalHead]

I wish EG all the success in the world. I just don't see this being a bad thing for this team. With Golson I saw a loner out there last year. From sitting alone on the sidelines to walking away from his head coach when he is trying to talk to him. Although he is talented ,I never saw that swagger needed to be a leader. I saw a team rally around a young inexperienced QB in a bowl game and a young QB respond by understanding his role out there. Last year this offense was crying for a leader and got it in Malik Zaire. He has the leadership, confidence and swagger to move this team forward in a very positive way. I believe Zaire knows he is just one of 11 guys on that field. Let's not sell the other 10 guys short gentleman, they want to be a team that wins and I believe that's exactly what they will do this year.

 

[SoDakDomer]

The emotion from Malik in his post game presser after the LSU win was all I needed to see from him. Football and ND mean everything to that kid.

 

[jimmymac]

Hearing Florida as a likely landing spot