With the immediate futures of Everett Golson and Braxton Miller in question, what will/should they do?
With college football three weeks into its offseason and National Signing Day just days away, this offseason already feels different than those of years past.
We are not only being inundated with the news of hundreds of talented high school seniors preparing to take their first official steps into the world of college football, but we are also hearing that multiple top college quarterbacks may be packing their bags and heading elsewhere in 2015.
As JC Shurburtt, a sports writer, puts it, “It’s the most critical position on the field by far, so it’s no surprise that quarterback transfers have become a popular secondary recruiting market among those that follow college football.”
Big names from top programs are being speculated about in the transfer rumor mill — the two biggest names being Braxton Miller (Ohio State) and Everett Golson (Notre Dame).
Next season is still many months away, which means we will have a while to wait before we know where these players will be suiting up in 2015. In my opinion, Miller should transfer, but Golson should stay.
Miller was one of the best players in college football heading into the 2014-15 season. He was even a Heisman Trophy front-runner before being injured before the season started. He is still a great QB, but a lot has changed. Now, he may not even be the best QB at Ohio State.
If Miller stays in Columbus next fall, there’s a strong possibility that he will have to change positions — probably to wide receiver. This would be a difficult transition and may ultimately cost Braxton millions in the NFL.
Transferring would give Braxton the opportunity to stay in the position with which he is most comfortable and has proven to play better in. It also provides him the opportunity to win the ever-elusive Heisman. Most importantly, it better prepares him for an NFL career as a quarterback and not a receiver. Staying at OSU is simply a mistake for his future in football.
In Golson’s case, he came into 2014 with redemption on his mind after having sat out all of 2013 because of an academic suspension. He started the season in spectacular form and was in the Heisman conversation throughout the first half of the season.
However, the second half of the season did not play out as Golson had intended. Turnovers mixed with numerous season-ending injuries to Golson’s teammates plagued the Irish as they attempted to make a National Championship run.
The Irish finished with a disappointing 8-5 record after starting the season 7-1. Golson himself accounted for more than 20 turnovers during the season (14 interceptions and 12 fumbles).
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly used the team’s Music City Bowl to show his displeasure for Golson’s play by benching him in favor of Malik Zaire, a very inexperienced, yet effective sophomore. Golson played sparingly during the entire game, though. But, one thing was made clear: the starting job was no longer his. Thus, the transfer rumors ensued.
If Notre Dame were not the place Golson wanted to finish his career, he would have already left. He would have left upon hearing that he was suspended for the entire 2013 season. He didn’t leave — he stuck with the team and his university. If he was willing to stay at Notre Dame through that, I find it hard to believe he isn’t willing to stick with it all through a QB competition.
Plus, Golson does not officially graduate from Notre Dame until May. Per NCAA rules, he cannot transfer to another school without sitting out for a season until he earns his undergraduate degree. Because of this, Golson would miss out on valuable spring football reps if he chose to transfer. Thus, he would already be behind on a new team. Not only do I think it is in Golson’s best interest to stay at Notre Dame, but I think that is what he will do.
The futures of both Miller and Golson are uncertain. They may both choose to stay at their current schools, or they may choose to play elsewhere. Either way, they are talented athletes that will be of help to two very lucky teams.
Christopher Miller is a junior studying broadcast journalism and sports management. Do you think these athletes will transfer? Let him know at cm001111@ohio.edu or @MLLRC93.
