Report: Notre Dame's Golson headed to FSU

SOUTH BEND, Ind., May 11 (UPI) -- It seems like so long ago since Everett Golson quarterbacked Notre Dame to an undefeated season and a national championship appearance.

But now his star has fallen in South Bend and the 22-year-old will graduate from Notre Dame and play his final season elsewhere. Golson could be headed to Florida State, taking the helm from former Heisman Trophy winner and the top pick in the 2015 NFL Draft Jameis Winston, a source told 247 Sports.

"Barring a last-minute change of heart or any influence from elsewhere, (Florida State's) where he's headed," one source told the website.

Golson announced that he would transfer May 7. Notre Dame won't allow Golson to transfer to any opponent on its 2015 schedule, according to Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman.

"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 in a statement. "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. To all the Fighting Irish fans, I want to thank you for your 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."

"I will have no future comment at this time and ask that you respect my time as I figure out this live changing moment. God has a plan for each of us and I ask for your prayers as I move forward in this new journey in my life!"

Golson passed for 5,850 yards and 41 touchdowns with 20 interceptions and rushed 208 times for 581 yards and 14 scores in two seasons for the Irish.

He was suspended for the 2013 season over an academic issue. Irish coach Brian Kelly started freshman Malik Zaire, instead of Golson, in its Music City Bowl upset of LSU.

"I'd like to thank Everett Golson for all he did as a member of our football program," Kelly said in a statement. "He had many significant achievements, including helping us to an undefeated regular season and berth into the national title game. But his most important accomplishment is completing his course work toward a degree from the University of Notre Dame. I wish him all the best moving forward.

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