Sports

Notre Dame QB position up for grabs

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The question comes up almost everywhere you go — in bars, in hotel lobbies, when you jump into a cab.

Who’s going to be the starting quarterback? But they aren’t discussing a couple of guys named Sanchez and Tebow.

“Yeah, they get a lot of attention, too,’’ joked Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson. “I’d probably say [the attention] is kind of even right now.’’

Golson is one of four quarterbacks vying for the starting job on America’s College Football Team.

Tommy Rees, last year’s starter, was expected to be the favorite entering fall camp. But he was suspended for the Sept. 1 opener vs. Navy in Ireland after an altercation at an off-campus bar in May. That opened the door for Golson, a redshirt freshman, junior Andrew Hendrix, and highly-touted recruit Gunner Kiel.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly made it clear yesterday he is not a fan of a platoon system at the most important position on the field. He also said that come Monday, he and his staff will start having serious discussions about who the starter will be.

“I’ve played two quarterbacks only because I’ve had to play two quarterbacks,’’ said Kelly. “I don’t think I want to play two quarterbacks. I’d rather have one guy make himself known to everybody that he’s the starter.’’

Golson, who has gotten more reps with the first team than his competitors, is trying to accomplish that. He is a remarkably electric athlete from South Carolina who initially committed to North Carolina. When the Tar Heels got hit with NCAA sanctions, he reopened his recruitment and Kelly landed a run-pass quarterback who has the speed to execute his fast-pace offense.

Golson, however, has yet to play a college snap. His claim to fame at the end of last season was being one of two players (running back George Atkinson is the other) Kelly dubbed as being on “the heart attack list.” Translation: Golson needed to treat the ball like the last bottle of water on a desert island.

“We’ve have 126 throwing opportunities for Everett,’’ said Kelly. “He’s had one interception. You build trust. You don’t just give it. Both of those guys are no longer on that heart attack list.’’

Hendrix lauded Golston’s leadership and commitment to making himself a better player. Both players know what’s up for grabs.

“It’s the highest profile position in sports,’’ said Hendrix. “Every kid wants to be the quarterback at Notre Dame. Kids dream about it. It doesn’t get any better than that. The position of quarterback at Notre Dame is a little more special than it would be anywhere else.’’

Even the Big Apple.