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Jameis Winston to Declare for NFL Draft, According to His Father

By Jose Martinez

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Forget what you heard from Jameis Winston’s father Antonor about waiting until next week to make a decision on whether his son will declare for the 2015 NFL Draft. A short while ago, ESPN’s David Hale was reportedly told by Antonor that Jameis intends to enter next year’s draft.

Even though Winston played only two years as the Florida State Seminoles’ starting quarterback, he made his mark, winning a national championship and the Heisman Trophy in his first year. His sophomore season didn’t see the same amount of success from a team and personal standpoint as the ‘Noles were defeated by the Oregon Ducks in the Rose Bowl and his touchdown totals took a sizable dip while his interceptions nearly doubled. With that being said, Jameis is still expected to come off the board pretty early.

Of course, whenever you talk about Winston, the discussion regarding his numerous off-the-field issues are never too far away. By entering the NFL Draft, the 21-year-old will need undergo lengthy discussions regarding his previous transgressions which have been a cause for concern for many NFL front offices. There’s no denying that from the talent standpoint, Winston could easily be the No. 1 overall pick.

Now, the ball is in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ court.

UPDATE: Here is Winston’s statement, through his representation, the Legacy Agency.

Per ESPN:

"“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. 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.“I will always take pride in leading our team back to national prominence and am confident that my returning teammates will continue the success for many years to come.“To the fans, I can’t thank you enough for the support you showed me and the team over the last three seasons; it was a humbling experience to bring the Championship back to Tallahassee for you all to enjoy.“To my teammates, it’s been an incredible opportunity to play with the most impressive collection of talent and people the game has seen; you all have been there for me through the highs and lows and the relationships we have formed extend well beyond the field. For this, I thank you.“To the coaching staff and especially Coach Fisher, I am forever grateful for the ways you developed me as a player and a person as I have grown over the years. I knew I made the right decision to come to Florida State four years ago and couldn’t be happier with this choice as I write this today.“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. 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 since my first day as a ‘Nole. Thank you for making my time in Tallahassee the of the best years of my life.”"

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