Jameis Winston took home the Heisman Trophy becoming the youngest Heisman winner and the second straight Freshman to do it. Many people wondered given the off-the-field issues if Winston would have a close challenger, but instead, he blew them out like Florida State did to many of their opponents. Watching him against Pittsburgh to open up the year in primetime, you could tell the kid was special. I remember having a fantasy draft that night and attempted to talk about him only to get shut down which is fine yet I knew people would realize how good of a player Jameis Winston is and will be for the time the come. Winston looks like a player that could honestly go to the league next May. He is only a redshirt freshman, but there is no question Winston has the size and stature to join the National Football League next season. People will probably ask on Twitter for the entire draft process 'What would it look like if Jameis was in the draft?' It is stupid to think about right now. Yet the thought will probably be enhanced due to a fantastic 30 for 30 documentary ran on Maurice Clarrett after the Heisman. If you remember Clarett challenged college football's rules on their draft rule and nearly won although as the documentary pointed out, he left Ohio State because the administration forced him out instead of just going pro.
Given with what happened with Johnny Manziel and what's already happened with Winston, I am already wondering what his off-season could entail especially if they win the National Championship over Auburn. My friend Eric has this theory about college quarterbacks that if they win a Heisman, National Championship, there is no reason to stay in school because you have hit the peak of the college career. I could see Winston's sophomore year to be judged with a just as microscope as Manziel. So is there a chance Winston tries to make an attempt at challenging the NFL's rules? Most likely not, but Winston unlike Clarett has an out... professional baseball.
Winston played on Florida State's baseball team last season and was a contributor on the team as he was both an outfielder and a relief pitcher. I am not saying Winston would do this, but why would not Winston go pro in baseball for a summer if he were drafted. The MLB Draft happens in June and I am willing to bet some team does draft Jameis in the late rounds because there are so many throwaway rounds. Winston could play some baseball over the summer whilst getting a marginal paycheck then train for the National Football League for the 2015 NFL Draft. While it is highly unlikely Winston will do this, it is still not out of the realm of possibilities. Although what's weird is there is a complete other side of the coin, highly touted quarterback are staying or very much considering staying at school.
Marcus Mariota already announced he is going to come back school playing another year for Oregon even though he would probably be a top three pick. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report and others have been saying Teddy Bridgewater is leaning to return as Louisville brings a ton back and given their move to the ACC, the Cardinals could make a legitimate title run. Manziel, a guy whom caught maybe the most flack of anyone in college football, says he might return if the draft grade is not a first round pick. While there might be people like Clarett out there, it seems more than ever, people want to return to college. The question is why?
I think of two things
1.) The money is not there like it used to be for athletes. With the new NFL CBA, it is not like college kids can bank in Sam Bradford money any more when they come to professional football. Now, they will still make more cash than the broken NCAA yet the fact still remains the money is not there as much as it has been in years past.
2.) Take away the summer of Manziel, most of these men are treated like kings at school. They do not face the criticism as a Geno Smith or a Robert Griffin III is getting right now in the obsessive 24/7 media. If they stay in school, criticism might be there at least from a national scope but the people of Eugene, Louisville and College Station bow to them and yes that's a problem yet it is a different topic for another time. Could this mean maybe Winston stays past his three years? Possibly, but more than ever, it is not a guarantee people are leaving when the outside world thinks it is a given.
College football's overall landscape has changed. Clarett in 2002 was not even nominated for Heisman. He did not make the top ten. Would this happen today? Probably not. Carson Palmer had a huge year and probably still wins Heisman given Clarett missing a couple games but for him not to be one of the ten best players is a crime. Also in 2002, Mariota, Bridgewater and Manziel would not even think about coming back to school for another year. In a weird way, somehow this all seems to fit together.
Charlie.
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