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South Carolina quarterback Everett Golson committed to Notre Dame today, officially switching from a pledge he made to North Carolina back in February. (Feels good to be on the other end of this, doesn’t it, Irish fans?) Golson plans on enrolling early in January, making this an 11th hour recruiting coup for the Irish coaching staff.
Golson opened up his recruitment after the NCAA sanctioned Butch Davis’ Tar Heel program, and Notre Dame targeted the two-sport star (Golson was also committed to playing point guard on the North Carolina basketball team) when they reopened their search for a quarterback. The news has been confirmed by various recruiting websites as well as local South Carolina media.
In Golson, Kelly has potential recruited the best athlete at quarterback for Notre Dame since Carlyle Holiday and Arnaz Battle, and the best true dual-threat signal-caller on the roster. Recruiting websites knock Golson because his lack of elite size, but his commitment to Roy Williams to play basketball, and the five touchdowns he threw for last weekend make this one of the more intriguing signings of the Kelly era. Golson’s list of suitors was mighty impressive, with offers from Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Ohio State, South Carolina, Tennessee and Stanford. Defensive line coach Mike Elston handles the Carolinas for the Irish and he went right into the teeth of SEC country and pulled out arguably the most wanted quarterback in the region. (That’s definitely not small-timey, folks. Get that man a cup of coffee.)
If cheering for the commitment of unsigned high school athletes is your thing, the signing of Golson should have you high-fiving colleagues at the water cooler. If Dayne Crist’s knee is healed enough to have him ready for spring practice, expect a crowded depth-chart behind center, with Golson adding a true wildcard to the race.
Golston is the 18th verbal commitment to the Irish and joins running back Cam McDaniel as commitments this week, as the coaching staff blankets the country in full-bore recruiting mode. Golson also plans on joining the Irish basketball team, and has met with Mike Brey and his staff to discuss his role on the team.