Florida State Seminoles’ Jameis Winston Not Named the Starter Yet


Jameis Winston

Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

There was a reason that former Florida State quarterback Clint Trickett transferred to West Virginia following the Seminoles spring game in April.  He saw the future of Florida State football…and he was wearing No. 5.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston lived up to his considerable hype by lighting up the Florida State defense through the air.  On the day, Winston was 12-15 for 205 yards and two touchdowns.  His first throw of the game resulted in a long touchdown pass against one of the best corners in the country, Lamarcus Joyner.

Ever since that day, Seminole fans have been chomping at the bit to see Winston this fall.  While they appreciated and respected the play of veteran starter E.J. Manuel, most felt he did have the “it” factor that could vault the Seminoles into the national title game once again.  Winston, they believe, has that “it” factor.

However, as Florida State fall camp opened earlier this week, head coach Jimbo Fisher was quick to point out that he hasn’t even named a starting quarterback for the fall.  He said that Winston and sophomore Jacob Coker would get a chance to run with the first team to start camp.

According to the Charlotteobserver.com, Fisher said, “They’ll get equal reps, and they’ll split time with the (first team).  But they’ll get all equal reps.”

He even entertained the idea of playing two quarterbacks if that would help the Noles win games this fall.

While that’s nice for Fisher to say publicly, his excitement about Winston is the worst kept secret in college football.  He’s a rare quarterbacking talent who has the size, athleticism, arm talent and savvy to be a program changer.

Fisher knows that.  Coker knows that.  And soon, we’ll all know that.

Fisher hasn’t named the starter yet, but Winston’s prodigious talents are too enticing to keep on the sidelines.

Expect to see No. 5 under center when the Seminoles open their season on Labor Day against the Pittsburgh Panthers.

B.L. is an ACC Football writer for Rant Sports and can be followed on Twitter @coachlip or on Google

Be sure to check out the Rant Sports 100 in 100 Series, a preview of the top 100 College Football Teams for the 2013 Season!



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