University of Notre Dame starting quarterback Everett Golson has been suspended for the upcoming football season, the Associated Press reported.
Golson said his suspension was due to "poor academic judgment," as he put it. The academic suspension makes him ineligible to play for the Fighting Irish this year as they look to return to the BCS National Championship game.
University spokesman Dennis Brown confirmed Saturday night that Golson was no longer enrolled at Notre Dame as of Friday. Golson said in a letter released Sunday that he plans to return to Notre Dame in 2014.
''I take full responsibility for my poor choices and will do all that is asked of me to regain the trust of my family, friends, teammates, coaches and the entire Notre Dame community,'' he wrote.
Head Coach Brian Kelly is now likely to turn to Tommy Rees to start this year at QB. Rees stepped in for the final four games of his freshman season in 2010 when Dayne Crist torn a tendon in his knee and he came again for Crist in the 2011 season opener, a game in which Crist struggled.
In 2012, Rees was suspended for the season opener following a misdemeanor charge of resisting law enforcement and illegal consumption of alcohol by a minor. But whenever Golson struggled or when he was hurt, Rees came in and helped the Irish remain unbeaten in the 2012-2013 season.
However, it was Golson who led the team to most of its 12 regular season victories and to a number-one-overall ranking. He ran for six touchdowns and threw for 2,405 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions last year, while completing 58.8 percent of his passes.
He concluded his letter by stating his intent to return to Notre Dame an improved person overall.
"At this point, I understand how my integrity could be in question but I want to reassure my supporters that through this experience I will return a better student athlete as well as a better individual, he wrote. "Lastly, I want to thank the University of Notre Dame for the opportunity already granted and also the opportunity going forth to regain my eligibility in the winter of 2014."
