Some have suggested that Florida State star quarterback Jameis Winston might drop out of school as a way to avoid the institution’s investigation into prior sexual assault charges brought against him, as well as an inquiry into whether he violated NCAA rules for being compensated for autographs, but several sources close to him said that is in no way a consideration.
Winston intends to fight vigilantly to maintain his innocence in both instances, however, given the current state of his relationship with the upper reaches of FSU, it has become a certainty he will declare for the NFL Draft. Winston led the Seminoles to a wild win vs. Notre Dame Saturday night to preserve their national title hopes.
These same sources said a few weeks back that Winston was torn as to his future, pointing to how much he loved playing football and baseball in college, and at that time they suggested that only if the team was still undefeated deep into the season and Winston having a superb season would he leave. Now, however, in the face of the multiple investigations into him, and what has become an adversarial relationship with school officials (excluding coach Jimbo Fisher and key members of the athletic department) it is virtually certain Winston is declaring no matter what happens in the second half of the season.
Fisher has faced pressure from above to further suspend Winston (he missed a game earlier this season after shouting an obscenity on campus), but has steadfastly resisted, sources said, with Winston adamant he did not accept money in exchange for autographs. No charges were pressed regarding the allegations made against him by a fellow student and Winston has denied any wrongdoing regarding that as well.
“There is no upside in waiting to go the NFL now, after all of this,” one source said.
Despite all that’s swirling around him, Winston could still well end up being a top 10 pick.
