FSU Freshman QB Ready To Take Center Stage
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami) – During the 2012 preseason, the Florida State Seminoles was a popular sleeper pick for the national championship. FSU ultimately couldn't hold up and lost its starting quarterback to the 2013 NFL Draft.
For most teams, that would mean a lost season of rebuilding around a new quarterback. In Tallahassee, the Noles may be even better, despite losing first round pick E.J. Manuel.
Quarterback Jameis Winston came to FSU as a two-sport star and the number one signal caller in his high school recruiting class. Winston spurned Alabama to join the Noles and he hasn't disappointed since he got to campus.
After sitting out a redshirt season, Winston entered spring football and showed off all of the skills the Noles hoped he had in his arsenal. Winston completed 12 of 15 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns in just one quarter of work against the Noles first-team defense.
"That's a critical factor," Noles head coach Jimbo Fisher said. "Those lights on the scoreboard really matter."
Winston and his quarterback competition, Jared Coker, are both around 6'5" and weigh between 225 and 240 pounds. Coker is more reserved while Winston is more gregarious and wants "everyone to feel comfortable."
"If I get I get (Johnny) 'Manziel disease,' I want everyone of y'all to get your mics and just start (makes a motion of hitting himself in the head) . on the head," he said, adding that Manziel was a good person, based on what he'd heard from other athletes.
Winston thinks whether he's the starting quarterback or Coker, the team is loaded with talent.
"If we're playing Florida State football, we're going to have a very good team," Winston said. "Look at the numbers."
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