ABOVE VIDEO: Interview with FSU Football Head Coach Jimbo Fisher following Monday afternoon’s practice. (Florida State Seminoles Video)
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA (Seminoles.com) – For months, Jimbo Fisher has said he wouldn’t name Florida State’s next starting quarterback until he was ready.
On Monday night, he was finally ready. Fisher announced after the Seminoles’ first game-week practice that Everett Golson would start Saturday’s season-opener against Texas State.
Golson, a fifth-year senior who transferred to FSU from Notre Dame this summer, had been entrenched in a competition with redshirt junior Sean Maguire.
Jimbo Fisher
“Where we’re at right now and the things he did, I just think it’s what’s best for our team at this particular time,” Fisher said.
“It was a tougher decision because of how well they were playing.”
One of just two quarterbacks in college football with national championship game experience, Golson led Notre Dame to a 17-6 record in two years as a starter.
His career ledger boasts 5,850 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.
Golson, native of Myrtle Beach, S.C., joins Jameis Winston, Christian Ponder and Drew Weatherford as quarterbacks to emerge from a true competition during Fisher’s tenure at FSU.
“From coaching him, I’ve been very pleased,” Fisher said.
“He’s done a great job responding to how we do things, the way we do things. I‘m happy with where he’s at right now.”
Fisher insisted throughout fall camp that the race had been close, and he reiterated that point on Monday.
On Monday night, he was finally ready. Fisher announced after the Seminoles’ first game-week practice that Everett Golson would start Saturday’s season-opener against Texas State. (Seminoles.com Image)
Golson is a natural athlete, but had ground to make up when it came to learning FSU’s playbook and terminology.
Fisher’s offense is notoriously demanding on quarterbacks, and Maguire had a three-year head start.
But Golson made steady strides over the past few weeks of practice, and, as he became more comfortable with his new playbook and new teammates, began to play faster and more instinctively.
“He’s just become more consistent,” Fisher said.
“The more times you do it, the more times you see it, the better you get at it. And he’s doing that.”
Fisher also came away impressed by Maguire’s effort in fall practice, and said that he “ramped up” his intensity upon Golson’s arrival.
Maguire had served as the team’s first-team quarterback during spring practice.
“I’ve been very pleased with his camp, his attitude and everything,” Fisher said.
And while Golson has no need to look over his shoulder – Fisher said he won’t “short-leash anybody” – Fisher feels confident that he has two quarterbacks capable of guiding the FSU offense in 2015.
“Both guys had tremendous camps,” Fisher said.
“Feel very comfortable with both guys. Very happy that both guys are playing well. We’re going to need both guys to play well throughout the year.”
