On Wednesday — the day after his 21st birthday — Florida State redshirt sophomore quarterback and 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston declared for the NFL Draft. The decision comes as little surprise nationally, but many Florida State fans held out hope that the All-ACC signal-caller would return for his junior year.
Though Winston’s early departure could lead to a drop-off in wins next season, his decision was ultimately the right one. Here are five reasons why:
1. He Has Nothing Left to Prove
On the football field, quarterback Jameis Winston has nothing left to prove. With a 26-1 record as a starter, two ACC titles and a national championship, Winston is a proven winner. He’s a natural vocal leader and in two seasons, Winston passed for nearly 8,000 yards and 65 touchdowns. No one questions Winston’s arm strength and as a passer, he’s pinpoint accurate. During his FSU career, Winston complete better than 66 percent of his throws and averaged better than 9 yards-per-pass-attempt.
2. Key Losses on Offense
Had Winston stayed, the Seminoles would still have been replacing a number of starters on offense including their second leading rusher in Karlos Williams and top two receivers in the school’s all-time leading receiver, Rashad Greene and John Mackey Award winner, Nick O’Leary. Winston would have also been protected by four new starters along the offensive line, making him more susceptible to hits. A major injury could have served to the biggest blow to Winston’s draft stock.
3. Outside Distractions
Unfortunately, off-the-field news overshadowed what Florida State was able to accomplish on it and much of that attention revolved around Winston. While it is fair to question how FSU and the Tallahassee Police Department handled the rape allegations against Winston, coverage of the Seminoles in 2014 was hardly close to fair. Whether it was ridiculous point-shaving allegations, Darren Rovell’s relentless pursuit of Winston being paid for autographs later shown to be fraudulent or Pat Forde centering a story on Winston’s father not being allowed on the field after a game in which the Seminoles completed their biggest comeback in 20 years, the media frenzy has been neither kind nor balanced to Florida State. The New York Times also wrote four very slanted pieces regarding various players on the team. With Winston gone, at least some of that will likely go away.
4. Added Experience for His Successor
With Winston headed to the NFL, as many as six quarterbacks could be in competition to see the field next season. Sean Maguire is the most experienced quarterback for Florida State, but John Franklin III, J.J. Consentino and possibly three incoming freshmen could make strong cases to play or perhaps even start. Winston’s departure will mean an extra year of playing time for at least one quarterback and that could pay dividends down the road.
5. It’s What’s Best for His Family
Earlier in the year, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit reported that Winston’s family has been very hurt by the things said about him. Without New York Times interns sitting outside of campus and without Pat Forde cyber-stalking college students to learn of things Winston may have said or done, life for the Winston family will become more normal. Assuming he is taken in the early rounds of the NFL Draft, Winston will soon be able to help provide for his loved ones financially as well.
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