Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has been drafted first overall in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Winston becomes the third Florida State Seminoles quarterback to be taken in the first round since 2011, along with EJ Manuel in 2013 and Christian Ponder in 2011.
2015 NFL Draft: Jameis Winston goes 1st overall to Buccaneers
Winston has been one of the most prolific players over the last two years at Florida State. Now he heads to the NFL.
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Winston is one of the more controversial players in the draft this year, after being accused of sexual assault during his second year at Florida State (redshirt freshman season). Winston was never convicted of the crime, although in a separate incident he was suspended for one game in 2014 after yelling a vulgar sexual comment from the top of a lunch table.
On the field, there is no denying Winston's talent. The 6'4, 231-pound Alabama native played in a pro-style offense under coach Jimbo Fisher with the Seminoles, and led the team to a national championship his first year before falling in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff to Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks in 2015.
In 2013-14, Winston threw for 4,057 yards and completed 66.9 percent of his passes, tossing 40 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. However, he struggled in comparison last year, throwing 25 touchdowns and 18 interceptions to accompany 3,907 yards and a 65.3 completion percentage.
At the NFL Combine, Winston bucked the trend of projected top picks skipping throwing drills. The Florida State star was sublime, making all the throws with relative ease. His measurables were average, running a 4.97 40-yard drill with a 28.5-inch vertical jump and a 3-cone drill time of 7.16.
Winston going No. 1 overall does not come as surprise as Tampa Bay has reportedly been interested in him for months. The Buccaneers had a need at quarterback and Winston will be the franchise’s signal caller from here on out.
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