Jimbo Fisher has a message for everyone looking ahead to the 2015 NFL Draft and projecting Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston as the No. 1 pick: Hold up there, folks.
Fisher and his FSU assistants reeled in a bunch of high-profile recruits Wednesday on National Signing Day, and he said Winston's presence was a big reason. Fisher also said he thinks the players who signed Wednesday will have two seasons with Winston.
"Everybody says he's going to stay one year and leave," Fisher said, "which I don't think that's true. I think it will be two."
If that truly is the case, that is huge news for FSU -- and the rest of the ACC. But the proclamation came from the coach, not the player, and as a coach, Fisher undoubtedly is hoping (praying?) Winston does stay for two more seasons.
Winston redshirted as a true freshman in 2012, then won the Heisman in 2013. He will be eligible for the 2015 draft and there already have been people speculating about how early he could be selected. Winston has some things to clean up and will be even more heavily scrutinized next season, but he will certainly enter the campaign as the favorite to repeat as the Heisman Trophy winner -- something done only once previously in the history of the award.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.