Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher announced Monday that quarterback Everett Golson will start the season opener, bringing an end to speculation about the Seminoles' immediate successor for former Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston.
"We'll start the first game with Everett (Golson)," Fisher said Monday. "It was a tougher decision because of how well they were playing (in fall camp)."
Two factors pushed the former Notre Dame quarterback ahead of his primary competition for the job, Sean Maguire, according to the Orlando Sentinel: mobility and experience. Golson certainly had plenty of both, having started for two seasons at Notre Dame as a dual-threat passer who led the Fighting Irish to a BCS National Championship Game as a sophomore.
Golson had issues with turnovers last year at Notre Dame, however, and left the school as a graduate transfer with one season of eligibility remaining. He chose the Seminoles, who were lacking any significant experience after losing a two-year starter in Winston. Golson passed for 3,445 yards last year but threw 14 interceptions and fumbled 12 times in 13 games. He sat out 2013 due to an academic suspension.
The Seminoles open the season against Texas State on Sept. 5.
Golson is one of several transfer quarterbacks to earn a starting role at a new school this preseason, including Vernon Adams (Oregon), Greyson Lambert (Georgia), and Oklahoma (Baker Mayfield).
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