TALLAHASSEE — The carnival ride that has been Jameis Winston's career at Florida State is shutting down for good.
The Seminole quarterback announced his intention Wednesday to enter the NFL Draft this spring. Winston, who just completed his redshirt sophomore season, had two years of eligibility remaining had he chosen to remain a part of coach Jimbo Fisher’s program.
“After weighing this decision with my family and friends, I have decided to declare for the 2015 NFL Draft and forgo my remaining eligibility at Florida State,” Winston said in a statement. “I reached this very difficult decision after careful consideration and long thought, realizing how difficult it would be to say goodbye to my family at Florida State.
“I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to wear the garnet and gold and have greatly enjoyed my time as a Seminole, both as an athlete and a student in the classroom.”
Winston, a native of Hueytown, Ala., who turned 21 on Tuesday, finished his career with a remarkable 26-1 record. He collected a Heisman Trophy and a national championship during his redshirt freshman season, and he guided FSU to the College Football Playoff semifinals this season before suffering a 59-20 loss to Oregon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day.
Winston’s on-field exploits often have been overshadowed by his actions off of it. He was accused of sexual assault in 2012 — though never charged — and that incident cast a long shadow over his remaining days in Tallahassee. He was cited for shoplifting $32 worth of crab legs from a grocery store in 2013 and required to perform community service.
Winston stood on a table and shouted a misogynistic obscenity in a student hall in September, an action for which he was suspended for the Seminoles’ matchup against Clemson.
The red flags that will accompany Winston into the draft may cost him an opportunity to hear his name called as the first pick overall, but he is not expected to wait long before a team selects him. Winston’s father, Antonor, said his son was projected to be a first-round pick by the NFL’s draft advisory committee.
Winston, who stands 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds and also played on FSU’s baseball team, completed 562 of 851 passes (66 percent) in his career. He is third all-time among quarterbacks at FSU with 7,964 passing yards, and his 68 career touchdowns ranks second.
“As I embark in the next challenge of playing in the NFL, I look forward to contributing to a long line of successful alumni at the next level,” Winston said in the statement. “I want you all to know that I will make Seminole Nation proud and continue to bring the passion and love for the game you all have seen in Doak Campbell (Stadium) since my first day as a ’Nole. Thank you for making my time in Tallahassee some of the best years of my life.”
Added Fisher: “I would like to wish Jameis nothing but success at the next level as I think he’ll be extremely successful. It was a blessing to be able to coach him. He’s one of the unique players that I’ve ever had the privilege to coach. He embodies what you as a coach want as a person, a student and a player. He’s a genuine and honest guy. He’s one of the greatest players in Florida State history.”