Former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, potentially a target for the No. 1 pick of the NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, isn't yet committed to throwing passes at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
He's ready to do so, according to his private coach, George Whitfield, but not yet ready to decide if it's in his best interest.
"It's a game-time decision," Whitfield told USA TODAY Sports. "He's a very big believer in himself, so it'll be interesting. He's prepared to do it. Whether he goes in and does it will probably be determined a couple of days from now. At this time, he hasn't made a decision."
It's not uncommon for elite NFL draft picks to skip various aspects of combine, and NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah has called Winston the draft's most ready-made quarterback prospect. But for a player whose character is already under heavy scrutiny by NFL clubs, the last thing Winston needs is for any questions about his on-field skills to fester in the absence of his participation in Indianapolis. Winston has been training for the combine with his primary competition to be the first quarterback chosen in the draft: Oregon's Marcus Mariota. If Winston decides not to throw, his performance at FSU's pro day workout will draw all the more intrigue.
The former Heisman Trophy winner led the Seminoles to a national championship as a redshirt freshman in 2013, and reached college football's inaugural playoff last year before losing the only start of his career to Mariota and the Ducks.
Whitfield said Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty, whom he is also training for the combine, will throw.
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