What's Next For Everett Golson: Quarterback To Transfer

In what has become college football's worst kept secret, the former exiled Irish passer has officially announced his desire of using his 5th year transfer eligibilty.

Here's part of Golson's issued staement:

"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 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."

The reactions have been mixed, but overall consensus can be summed up with a Twitter post of former Irish defensive tackle Louis Nix:

"Someone is getting a really good QB. I'm wishing my little brother the best. He will always be IRISH!!!"

Coach Brian Kelly later issued the following statement:

"I’d like to thank Everett Golson for all he did as a member of our football program. 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 win over LSU, and throughout spring practice, has given our staff supreme confidence that he can lead our team to great success in 2015.”

And as it was after the LSU win in the Music City Bowl, the list of possible landing spots came fast, with a host of SEC schools again topping the list with Alabama and LSU.

The sticking point for a SEC home will be a signing off from commissioner Mike Slive.

The SEC's graduate transfer rule -- 14.1.15.1 -- states the student-athlete must meet seven criteria. Golson would not meet the fourth criteria, 14.1.15.1d, which states: "The student-athlete has not been subject to official university or athletics department disciplinary action at any time during enrollment at any previous collegiate institution [excluding limited discipline applied by a sports team]." (courtesy ESPN)

Texas and North Carolina will remain in the mix with their style of play.

Oklahoma will become another possibility considering coach Bob Stoops got a good look in 2012 when Golson single-handedly defeated his Sooners in Norman while the Irish continued their quest to the title game. 

Perhaps an immediate front runner will be Miami (Ohio) with former Notre Dame assistant Chuck Martin.

Golson's transfer leaves the Irish with a sure starter in Malik Zaire.

3RD stringer DeShon Kizer will see his role elevated, and incoming recruit Brandon Winbush could see action in short notice pending his play upon arrival in summer.