Quarterback Everett Golson announced he is transferring from Notre Dame Thursday.

In a statement, Golson laid out his decision to FoxSports.com.

“After much thought, prayer and discussion with my family, I have decided that it is in my best interest to graduate from Notre Dame and transfer to another school effectively immediately.

“I would like to thank everyone at Notre Dame for the opportunity to compete at the highest level of college football, but most importantly to obtain my degree from one of the finest universities in the country. To all the Fighting Irish fans, I want to thank you for your support over the past four years and let you know I truly love Notre Dame. To my former teammates, who I will miss tremendously, I wish much success in the future and will be your biggest fan from afar.

“I will have no future comment at this time and ask that you respect my time as I figure out this live changing moment. God has a plan for each of us and I ask for your prayers as I move forward in this new journey in my life!”

Golson’s transfer has been speculated for some time now. SEC programs like LSU and Alabama have both been discussed as possible destinations for the senior quarterback, as well as Florida, Florida State and others.

247Sports also reported via a source that Golson’s two primary schools are Georgia and South Carolina. The site reported that Golson would like to spend his final season at a university close to his home in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

In order to transfer to an SEC program, he’d have to obtain a special waiver. According to the SEC’s bylaw 14.1.15.1, part d, a graduate student may transfer and compete as long as “the student-athlete has not been subject to official university or athletics department disciplinary action at any time during enrollment at any previous collegiate institution.” Golson missed a year at Notre Dame in 2013 due to academic suspension.

He threw for 3,445 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2014 at Notre Dame.