Spurrier: Gamecocks not pursuing Everett Golson
Everett Golson might be playing in the SEC East this season, but it won’t be at South Carolina.
“We are not pursing (Golson),” Gamecocks head coach Steve Spurrier told The State on Wednesday . “We are not really in that.”
Golson, a 6-foot, 185-pound Myrtle Beach native, announced last week that he was transferring from Notre Dame to play his final year at another school. Since the announcement, Golson has been connected to several schools, including the Gamecocks.
He led the Irish to the national title game in 2012 but missed the 2013 season due to an academic suspension. He returned last year and has totaled 5,850 passing yards, 581 rushing yards and 55 total touchdowns in two seasons. Last season, he battled to keep his starting job while committing 22 turnovers.
“If he came down here and said he wanted to go to South Carolina, I may have to look at that situation, but from what I understand he’s got four or five other schools he is looking at,” Spurrier said.
Golson visited with Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher on Monday, according to ESPN and the Palm Beach Post. The Seminoles are looking to replace Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. Junior Sean Maguire exited spring practice as the frontrunner for the job.
“(Golson) is a great young man,” Fisher told reporters at the ACC spring meetings. “We’re negotiating.”
Golson is scheduled to visit Georgia on Wednesday, according to Dawgpost.com. Brice Ramsey and Faton Bauta are competing to replace Hutson Mason for the Bulldogs. South Carolina native Jacob Park also is on the Bulldogs quarterback depth chart.
“I don’t make public comments on prospects,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said Wednesday when asked about Golson. “I think we have guys who are capable of getting the job done. We have three on scholarship. I think I’d always feel better with four or five on scholarship as a normal practice. We hope that everybody stays healthy, but I think we have some outstanding ballplayers.”
Golson visited Florida earlier this week, according to SI.com, and while Gators coach Jim McElwain also declined to mention Golson’s name on Wednesday, he did not shy away from his team’s potential interest in a transfer quarterback.
“The one thing we are doing and it’s regardless of whatever position it is, we are always looking to help the organization fill holes where needed. Obviously, (Golson) mentioning us is exciting,” McElwain said. “At the same time, we are doing that at a bunch of spots. It’s one of those things that’s evolving as we go, and there are a lot of good opportunities.”
Freshman Will Grier and sophomore Treon Harris are competing to be the Gators starting quarterback. Harris started the final six games of the 2014 season, but Grier emerged from spring practice as the frontrunner for the starting job.
“We are constantly looking at (quarterback) as well as other spots on the roster to make sure we are as good as we can be,” McElwain said.
This story was originally published May 13, 2015 at 10:18 AM with the headline "Spurrier: Gamecocks not pursuing Everett Golson."