Gunner Kiel shot down speculation that he might return to Notre Dame in light of Everett Golson’s status change.
Golson, who started 11 games for the Irish last season as a redshirt freshman, is no longer enrolled at Notre Dame because of an academic violation. The change in Golston’s status sparked speculation that Kiel could return to Notre Dame despite transferring to Cincinnati last month. Kiel says he’s not going back to South Bend.
“I’m a Bearcat,” Kiel wrote in a text message to the Cincinnati Enquirer.
“I don’t know what’s happening at Notre Dame, but I know Gunner is happy with us,” Bearcats coach Tommy Tuberville told The Enquirer.
While Kiel is staying at Cincinnati, it looks like Golson could be back with Notre Dame in 2014.
Golson wrote the following in a statement released by Notre Dame on Sunday.
“I have been informed by the University of Notre Dame that due to my poor academic judgment that I have been suspended from the University for the 2013 Fall Term. 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.
“My parents and the community I grew up in have instilled values in me that have and will continue to allow me to be successful in the future,” he said. “There have been many lessons learned as I worked to become the starting quarterback at Notre Dame and each was a result of coach [Brian] Kelly’s belief in me as an athlete and a person.
“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.
“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.”
Now that Golson confirmed he used “poor academic judgment” leading to his suspension from the school, we can share that there was speculation the suspension was related to a cheating and/or plagiarism issue.
If Golson is likely to be back in 2014, it makes even more sense for Kiel to remain at Cincinnati. Notre Dame will have Tommy Rees, Andrew Hendrix and Malik Zaire available at quarterback in the fall.
