Before he led FSU to a national title, Jameis Winston was a standout at Hueytown, Ala. Photo by Tom Lemming
High school seniors can sign a national letter of intent Wednesday. We’re taking a look back at how former American Family Insurance ALL-USA football players fared after signing day. Today’s player is Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, who is expected to be a first-round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Player: Jameis Winston
High school: Hueytown, Ala.
Position: Quarterback
ALL-USA selection: First team offense in 2011.
College: Winston committed to Florida State over Alabama in August before his senior season and followed through with that decision on Signing Day in 2012. In his senior year at Hueytown, he threw for 2,424 yards and 28 touchdowns and ran for 1,056 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading his team to a 13-1 record and the state Class 5A semifinals.
What happened next: As a redshirt freshman at Florida State, he led the Seminoles to a 14-0 record in 2013, throwing for 40 touchdowns and 4,057 yards. In the national championship, he threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns in a come-from-behind defeat of No. 2 Auburn at the Rose Bowl. Off the field, he was involved in several controversies, including an allegation of sexual assault, and a shoplifting incident. He was also suspended for a game this fall because of vulgar comments he made in a campus cafeteria. This past season, he threw for 3,907 and 25 touchdowns, leading the team to a 13-1 record and a berth in the national championship game, which the Seminoles lost to Oregon.