Jameis Winston, Florida State’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, is widely expected to be the first pick in the NFL draft as soon as he’s old enough to enter the draft, in 2015. But Florida State’s coach doesn’t think Winston will leave school next year.
Instead, Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher says, Winston will play two more years of college football and enter the 2016 NFL draft.
“I expect Jameis to be here two more years,” Fisher said today.
Give Fisher credit for having an optimistic outlook, but that seems awfully unlikely. Just as Jadeveon Clowney and Johnny Manziel probably would have entered the 2013 NFL draft if not for the rule requiring players to be three years out of high school before they can enter, Winston probably would have entered this year’s draft if he were allowed. There’s just no reason for a player who looks NFL ready -- and Winston does look NFL ready -- to risk injury while playing for free.
Fisher might expect Winston to play for the Seminoles in 2015, but for the rest of us, it will be a major surprise if Winston isn’t in the NFL draft next year.