It became official Monday as Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson was named Florida State’s starting quarterback. Golson has plenty of starts under his belt, but Saturday against Texas State will be his first at FSU. While Golson hopes to impress in his garnet and gold debut, here’s a look at how the last 10 Seminole quarterbacks to make their first start did in their debuts — ranked from worst to best:
10. Fabian Walker
January 1st, 2003 vs. Georgia (Sugar Bowl)
Stats: 7-for-12, 69 yards, TD, 2 INT
Fabian Walker was forced into action in the Sugar Bowl against Georgia after starting quarterback Chris Rix was suspended for missing a final exam. Walker threw an early touchdown pass, but struggled from there on out and was eventually replaced by wide receiver Anquan Boldin. The Seminoles fell to Georgia 26-13. Walker would never make another start at FSU.
9. Drew Weatherford
September 5th, 2005 vs. Miami
Stats: 7-for-24, 67 yards, INT
Drew Weatherford may have been the FSU quarterback who snapped the Seminoles’ 6-game losing skid to Miami, but his performance was hardly legendary in the 2005 opener. Weatherford completed just seven passes in the 10-7 Labor Day victory and late in the game, was replaced by Xavier Lee. Fortunately for Weatherford, he would hold on to the starting job and lead FSU to an ACC title that season.
TALLAHASSEE, FL – OCTOBER 2: Quarterback Wyatt Sexton, #19 of the Florida State Seminoles fights off the tackle of defender Jeff Longhany #52 of North Carolina Tarheels at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 2, 2004 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
8. Wyatt Sexton
October 2nd, 2004 vs. North Carolina
Stats: 20-for-31, 193 yards, 3 TD, INT
One week after playing well in relief of an injured Chris Rix in a victory over Clemson, Wyatt Sexton had an efficient day in his first career start as the Seminoles defeated North Carolina 38-16. Sexton would win his first four starts at FSU, but the Seminoles played musical quarterbacks with he and Rix over the final month of the season.
7. Christian Ponder
September 6th, 2008 vs. Western Carolina
Stats: 11-for-17, 196 yards, 3 TD
Christian Ponder’s first career start was a good one as FSU thumped Western Carolina 69-0 to open the 2008 season. Ponder started every game for the Seminoles in 2008 and would bring stability to the quarterback position over his final three years in Tallahassee.
6. E.J. Manuel
November 14th, 2009 at Wake Forest
Stats: 15-for-20, 220 yards, TD, INT, 45 rush yards, rush TD
The task facing E.J. Manuel when he took over late in 2009 was not an easy one. The Seminoles were 4-5 and in danger of missing a bowl game for the first time since 1981. In his first start however, Manuel played like a seasoned veteran, completing 75 percent of his passes in a 41-28 victory over Wake Forest. Manuel would lead FSU to a 3-1 finish in 2009, capped off with a Gator Bowl victory over West Virginia in the final game of legendary head coach Bobby Bowden’s career.
5. Xavier Lee
October 28th, 2006 at Maryland
Stats: 22-for-36, 286 yards, 2 TD, 50 rush yards
Xavier Lee never turned into the quarterback Florida State fans had hoped, but his debut wasn’t a bad one. With Drew Weatherford injured, Lee accounted for over 330 total yards in his first career start. Unfortunately, the Seminoles fell to the Terrapins in College Park 27-24. Xavier Beitia had a late field goal attempt that would have tied the game, but it was blocked.
4. Sean Maguire
September 20th, 2014 vs. Clemson
Stats: 21-for-39, 304 yards, TD, 2 INT
In a contest that had decided the ACC Atlantic in each of the previous five years, Sean Maguire was called on to replace the suspended Jameis Winston. Maguire battled early struggles and a late interception to lead Florida State to a 23-17 overtime victory over Clemson. Maguire’s 74-yard touchdown pass to Rashad Greene tied the game with six minutes to play, which ultimately led to overtime. The FSU defense got critical stops late in the fourth quarter and overtime to make way for running back Karlos Williams to score the game-winner from 12 yards out.
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Adrian McPherson #5 the Florida State University Seminoles is sacked by rover Andre Maddox #36 of the North Carolina State University Wolfpack during the Atlantic Coast Conference NCAA game at Carter-Finley Stadium on November 23, 2002 in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Wolfpack won 17-7. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Images)
3. Adrian McPherson
November 2nd, 2002 at Wake Forest
Stats: 28-for-44, 278 yards, 2 TD, INT, 53 rush yards
In his first game taking over for the embattled Chris Rix, Adrian McPherson led Florida State from an early 14-0 deficit to beat Wake Forest 34-21. McPherson accounted for over 320 yards in the victory, but would make only four starts as a Seminole. Prior to the 2002 rivalry contest with Florida, McPherson was dismissed from the team for his role in a bank fraud investigation.
2. Clint Trickett
September 24th, 2011 at Clemson
Stats: 24-for-38, 336 yards, 3 TD, INT
Clint Trickett made just two starts in his Florida State career, going 0-2, but his first one was nothing short of stellar. Though it came in a 35-30 loss to Clemson in Death Valley, Trickett passed for 336 yards and three scores. Trickett tried to rally the Seminoles late, but was sacked on a fourth down play to thwart FSU’s comeback hopes. Trickett made his second career start at Wake Forest the following week, but was benched after struggling early.
1. Jameis Winston
September 2nd, 2013 at Pittsburgh
Stats: 25-for-27, 356 yards, 4 TD, rush TD
It didn’t take long for Florida State to realize it had something special in Jameis Winston. After beating out Clint Trickett and Jacob Coker in the spring, Winston was nearly flawless in FSU’s 2013 season-opener against Pittsburgh on Labor Day. Winston misfired on just one of his first 18 attempts and totaled five touchdowns in a 41-13 Florida State victory. Winston would go on to win the Heisman Trophy that season and lead the Seminoles to their first national championship in 14 years. He finished his career at FSU with a 26-1 record as a starter.
