Why Everett Golson Should Not Transfer from Notre Dame

As Malik Zaire ran his way to the MVP trophy of the Music City Bowl and into the hearts of Notre Dame fans everywhere, an unlikely quarterback controversy began to come into focus.

With the Irish's long-awaited eighth victory in hand—and the book closed on 2014—the largest question of the offseason is now upon us: What will Brian Kelly do with Zaire and Everett Golson in 2015? 

While both played in the win over LSU—Golson completed some clutch passes on the game-winning drive—the Irish offense looked transformed with Zaire behind center. And that led to some questions after the win that Notre Dame's head coach wanted absolutely nothing to do with. 

"This really was just about this game," Kelly said after the win. "Playing both of them, my focus was about winning this game, and we’ll figure out the quarterback situation in January. This was just utilizing both of their skills to get a win today."

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Inevitably, whispers about Everett Golson's status with the team turned into talking points during ESPN's broadcast. With every big play Zaire made, you got a look at Golson's reaction—a soap-opera subplot emerging to the delight of the production crew. 

But as the surprise of Notre Dame's upset victory fades, and Zaire's play is put into proper context, it'll become more and more clear that Everett Golson shouldn't transfer anywhere. 

Right now, there's no immediate plan. Per Pete Sampson of IrishIllustrated.com, Golson will return to campus for the spring semester, and he will be on track to graduate this May. But if spring practice ends with Golson's status as a starter still up for grabs, earning his degree also gives him a free pass to transfer to any program that'll take him. 

Golson isn't the only high-profile quarterback weighing those options. Ohio State's Braxton Miller is likely looking for a new home after the Buckeyes appear to be set at quarterback with J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones.

And Golson will certainly find suitors. Considering the successful transition Clint Trickett made in his one season at West Virginia—not to mention Tyler Murphy's brief stint at Boston College—Golson could immediately improve the quarterback position at some elite programs (especially after watching Texas and Ole Miss this bowl season). 

Yet Golson's connection to his head coach and his place in the Irish offense make a move a large decision. This isn't a career backup looking for a lifeline. This is Everett Golson, the first quarterback to fit Kelly's system throughout his tenure in South Bend. Golson is the guy who makes quarterbacks—Andrew Hendrix and Gunner Kiel—transfer, not the other way around. 

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He's also the same quarterback who dutifully sat out a season for an academic indiscretion that might have cost him a quarter or two in other programs. That he came back to finish what he started and didn't transfer then is telling. It wouldn't fit the fact pattern if Golson hightailed it now after being challenged on the depth chart.

Many have brought up Russell Wilson's single-season detour to Wisconsin when discussing Golson. Wilson was able to successfully transition to the Badgers offense after joining the team in June, throwing 33 touchdown passes against just four interceptions while leading Wisconsin to the Rose Bowl. 

As we saw down the stretch this season, Golson isn't Wilson. And while his 22 turnovers were the second most in the FBS, if Golson is trying to do the best thing for his professional career moving forward, it's hard to argue that learning a new offense in 90 days will help him cut down on his mistakes. 

Golson will have 15 practices during the spring to earn back his spot in the starting lineup. He'll also have a coaching staff that understands how much better the team will be with Golson on the roster, even if there's a platoon structure Kelly and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock need to figure out.

(Go dig out some old Florida tape, guys. Urban Meyer, Chris Leak and Tim Tebow could give you a few pointers.)

For as good as Zaire's Music City Bowl game was, he produced fewer than 200 yards of total offense. Golson did that in every start he made this season—minus the USC game, where he was yanked in the second quarter. But the first-time starter didn't turn the ball over, improving the Irish to 16-0 under Brian Kelly when Notre Dame holds onto the football.

Zaire's impressive debut makes for a fun offseason. But, ultimately, Golson's best bet is staying in South Bend to finish what he started.