Charles LeCLaire-USA TODAY Sports
If you happened to watch a special college edition of “Monday Night Football” Monday evening, you would’ve seen a freshman sensation in Florida State quarterback Jameis “Famous Jameis” Winston dominate the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field.
The 18-year-old nearly pitched a perfect game — pun intended — for the Seminoles Monday night, going 25 of 27 passing (92.5% completion percentage), 356 passing yards, four throwing touchdowns, eight carries for 25 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Winston was 17 for 18, amassing 240 yards through the air and three passing touchdowns in the first half alone.
While sitting out most of the second half due to the game being in hand, people watching the game had to be enamored by the former No.1 recruit at the quarterback position in 2012 and the No.1 recruit coming out of the state of Alabama… yes, I said it… Alabama, according to ESPN Scouts Inc.
The Hueytown, Alabama native was passed on by University of Texas head coach Mack Brown and it sure looked like he was set to prove his doubters wrong last night.
Winston displayed impressive arm strength, poise in the pocket, an ability to work through all of his progressions, spinning the football with touch, athleticism and leadership even as a redshirt freshman.
ESPN’s own and former Florida State quarterback Danny Kannell is already ringing the praises of the 6-foot-4, 227-pound phenom.
“When I look at film and see him throw the football or see him run, I see the most talented person at the quarterback position that has ever come through that program,” Kanell said to the Orlando Sentinel. “And that includes two Heisman Trophy winners and two first-round draft picks.”
Quite the endorsement for a guy who has played only one big-time college football game… and it was against the University of Pittsburgh.
While the Panthers aren’t exactly a top-contending football team, the Seminoles’ gunslinger certainly proved last night that he has the tools and what it takes to back up Kannell’s endorsement.
Winston also plays for the ‘Noles baseball team as a RHP and OF. He was selected in the 15th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft by the Texas Rangers, but opted for the college experience instead.
It remains to be seen what could become of his baseball career and if he keeps making plays like THIS, he may have a future.
Still, I’m waiting for FSU’s games opposite Clemson (10/19) and Florida (11/30) before I pencil in Winston as a Heisman trophy contender.
