Florida Football: 5 Reasons why the Gators should pursue Everett Golson

In two full seasons under center at Notre Dame, Everett Golson totaled 55 touchdowns, 41 of which were threw the air. The fifth year senior is now looking to stamp his name on a different program.

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Golson has his eyes set somewhere warmer than Indiana. What better place to look than Gainesville, Florida. He is no stranger to football in the South, growing up in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Golson has plans to move from South Bend to the Southeast, stopping in for visits at Florida State and Florida these next few days.

So here are a few reasons why Florida should be interested in the 22 year-old quarterback.

5. The Mobility Factor

The Florida football team is going to be seriously short handed in the offensive line department this fall. With Tyler Moore and D.J. Humphries forgoing their senior seasons for the NFL and Roderick Johnson’s career ending with a spinal cord injury, the Gators will rely on a handful of underclassmen to lead the way up front. With a lack of depth in the trenches, it is going to be vital that the team’s quarterback is light on his feet; Golson is that guy. The 6 foot tall quarterback runs a 4.59 40 and ran for eight touchdowns in his final season at Notre Dame.

Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

4. He is a big play threat

Florida’s new head coach Jim McElwain is known for his offensive mind and big play calling ability. In 2014, Colorado State’s Garrett Grayson, who was a third round draft pick of the New Orleans Saints, was 5th in the country in passes exceeding 20 yards.

One spot behind Grayson in that national category, was Everett Golson who completed 63 passes for 20 yards or more in 2014. Much of Grayson and Colorado State’s big play success was because McElwain’s play calling. McElwain, alongside Golson, could be a recipe for an offensive explosion.

3. Experience

It isn’t everyday day that you have the opportunity to snag a quarterback who has played in a national championship game on your team; Everett Golson has that on his resume. In the 109 year history of Florida football, only three quarterbacks have had the privilege of leading the orange and blue into college football’s promise land. Even though his Irish were routed in the final game of the 2012-2013 season by Alabama, Golson provides the experience that very few quarterbacks in the country have.

2. Keeping him out of Tallahassee

Golson visited Florida’s rival Florida State earlier this week. Noles head coach Jimbo Fisher said “We’re negotiating, talking to him now. He’s a great young man, really enjoyed meeting with him.” Everett’s former center at Notre Dame Matthew Hegarty, is also expected to transfer to Florida State where the two could reunite. If off the field issues is Golson’s biggest issue, then there is no better place than Florida State to forget all of his baggage, just ask former Seminole quarterback Jameis Winston. A loss to FSU at home on November 28th, would sting a little more if Golson were under center in Tallahassee.

1. Will Grier and Treon Harris

So many questions, so little answers. That has been the theme for the past few offseasons down in Gainesville. No front runner for the quarterback position has emerged, and experience at the position is slim. Will Grier did not take any snaps in 2014 after being redshirted. However, Grier did take a slight edge over his counterpart Treon Harris in UF’s spring game, completing 7 of 9 passes for 130 yards.

As for Harris, he threw nine touchdowns and four interceptions in nine appearances last season. It’s tough to be successful when the biggest question mark surrounds your team’s most important position. Success is bred by competition, and with Golson on the roster, you can guarantee a competitive environment in the Swamp.

So why not make a push for Everett Golson to come to Gainesville? Expectations for the Florida football team are not high by any means, but Golson to Gainesville could bring an offensive spark that this team badly needs heading into the 2015 season.

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