Jameis Winston to Declare for 2015 NFL Draft: Latest Details, Reaction

Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston already had a Heisman Trophy and national title under his belt by the end of his redshirt freshman season.

On Wednesday, Winston's father told ESPN.com's David M. Hale that Jameis will forgo his final two years as a Seminole and enter the 2015 NFL draft:

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Jameis Winston won't be back in a Florida State uniform next season, his father said Wednesday, opting instead to enter the NFL draft.

Initially, Antonor Winston said his son planned to wait until after the College Football Playoff Game Presented by AT&T to announce a decision, but instead, Jameis Winston came to a firm decision Tuesday night that he was ready to enter the NFL draft.

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Winston's father also explained why the decision was bumped up:

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Winston's father said initial plans to delay an announcement were scuttled by extensive media attention and that after Jameis Winston prayed on the decision Tuesday night, he felt comfortable with his plan to leave for the NFL.

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The star quarterback later confirmed  the decision in a statement via ESPN.com:

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'After weighing this decision with my family and friends, I have decided to declare for the 2015 NFL draft and forgo my remaining eligibility at Florida State. I reached this very difficult decision after careful consideration and long thought, realizing how difficult it would be to say goodbye to my family at Florida State. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to wear the garnet and gold and have greatly enjoyed my time as a Seminole, both as an athlete and a student in the classroom.

'I will always take pride in leading our team back to national prominence and am confident that my returning teammates will continue the success for many years to come.

'To the fans, I can't thank you enough for the support you showed me and the team over the last three seasons; it was a humbling experience to bring the Championship back to Tallahassee for you all to enjoy.

'To my teammates, it's been an incredible opportunity to play with the most impressive collection of talent and people the game has seen; you all have been there for me through the highs and lows and the relationships we have formed extend well beyond the field. For this, I thank you.

'To the coaching staff and especially Coach Fisher, I am forever grateful for the ways you developed me as a player and a person as I have grown over the years. I knew I made the right decision to come to Florida State four years ago and couldn't be happier with this choice as I write this today.

'As I embark in the next challenge of playing in the NFL, I look forward to contributing to a long line of successful alumni at the next level. I want you all to know that I will make Seminole Nation proud and continue to bring the passion and love for the game you all have seen in Doak Campbell since my first day as a 'Nole. Thank you for making my time in Tallahassee the of the best years of my life.'

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Warchant.com provides coach Jimbo Fisher's statement on the decision:

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Despite the amount of turbulence Winston has endured away from the field and the adversity he's faced on it in 2014 with up-and-down play, he's managed to put together a remarkable football resume at FSU.

AL.com's Natalie Pierre also notes that Winston will take steps to improve on his game:

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Jameis Winston will spend the months leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft training with private quarterbacks coach and ESPN analyst George Whitfield Jr. in San Diego, California, AL.com learned on Wednesday.

"He's made his decision to focus on his NFL career, and he's completely committed to it," said Greg Genske of The Legacy Agency, who is the primary agent that will represent Winston. "So he is going to be preparing himself to get ready to contribute to whatever NFL team is going to be lucky enough to select him."

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Playing in a complicated, pro-style offense masterminded by coach Jimbo Fisher gives Winston an inside track as he prepares for the NFL. The level of criticism Winston has faced will also prepare him for the white-hot spotlight that will shine on him from day one in the pros.

Amid some struggles during his sophomore campaign, Winston publicly admitted his tendency to turn the ball over was hurting the Seminoles, per ESPN College Football:

NFL.com's Chris Trapasso praised Winston for taking the heat in college:

But doing so as the face of an NFL franchise, as opposed to a high-profile collegiate program, is a different matter. It takes a level of maturity and personal conduct, two areas in which Winston has fallen short in the past. 

Winston will be one of the most polarizing, hotly debated prospects in NFL draft history. A lot of the focus will be on whether he or Oregon star Marcus Mariota—who led his team to a 59-20 Rose Bowl win over the Seminoles on Jan. 1—should be the first QB chosen in 2015.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller currently has Mariota as the No. 1 overall pick on his post-regular season big board, with Winston taking the fourth overall spot.

Mariota comes from a more simplistic, spread system yet doesn't have some of the character concerns Winston comes with. That will create quite a dilemma for teams near the top (the Buccaneers and Titans pick first and second).

Whatever happens, as long as Winston gets a chance, convinces an organization to buy into him and stays out of trouble moving forward, there's reason to believe he can be a major NFL success.