Jameis Winston Causing Florida State Headaches Even After He Leaves

If the NFL doesn't work out for former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, he'll be welcome at the University of Michigan as the Wolverines' recruiting coordinator. Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty, too.

Winston and Petty, of course, spent some time in Ann Arbor with new Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh this week preparing for the NFL combine. It's not an unprecedented move; players meet up with new coaches all the time in advance of big events. It's a great way to expand their football palates, and Harbaugh is regarded as one of the best football coaches in the country. 

However, it's what Winston said while working out at Michigan that grabbed headlines. And if you only read those headlines, you'd think Winston regretted his two phenomenal years at Florida State and wished could have played at Michigan under Harbaugh instead.  

Winston on Michigan's facilities: "We don't have this" at Florida State. 

Jameis Winston on Jim Harbaugh: "I Wish I Could Have Played for Him." 

That has to make you feel low if you're Florida State or follow the Seminoles, right? Yes, Winston loves Florida State and Florida State nation loves him, but it's never fun seeing those types of comments.

There's a certain "What the hell, man?" element to them. Not enough to be angry, but just enough to toss your arms up. 

However, when presented altogether and not in money quotes, Winston's comments aren't that big of a deal. Here they are below as broadcast on the MGoBlue.com website.  

On Harbaugh: 

"

It's a blessing to meet a guy like that [Harbaugh]. I made a reference back to when he was in Indianapolis in 1995. He had a great year that year. It was an honor to meet him. And all of his accomplishments and the type of coach he is, I wish I could have played for him.

"

On Michigan's facilities: 

"

These guys don’t know how blessed they are to have this type of facility. Florida State, we’re a very prestigious school, we have nice stuff, but we don’t have this. I love Florida State, I mean, go ‘Noles 'til the day I die, but they’re so much advanced than us.

"

Are those slights at Florida State and head coach Jimbo Fisher? No; it's possible to love where you came from and still be impressed—and more impressed in some aspects—with something else. 

Here's another way to think about it: Remember every time a coach said "X player is the best/easiest/fastest I've ever coached." It's hyperbole meant to prop up that one individual player, not necessarily discredit everyone else. 

And, in fairness to Winston, Petty raved about Michigan's facilities as well. The difference is Winston is a Heisman Trophy winner whose every word and action has been on trial in the court of public opinion. 

Why Winston and Petty propped up Michigan is easy to answer: They were featured in a video on Michigan's official website, likely being asked about what it was like to work with Harbaugh and what they thought of the things they saw.

Those are puff questions designed to generate puff answers. The only thing missing was coupling the video with "Everything is Awesome." 

The result is a free recruiting tool for the Wolverines. How much do you want to bet that the phrase "Even Heisman winner Jameis Winston wishes he could have played for us at Michigan" will be uttered by Harbaugh multiple times on the recruiting trail?

Since Florida State and Michigan battle nationally for blue-chip recruits, the Wolverines are going to get a lot of mileage out of that quote. The face of the Seminoles is talking up someone else. 

The comments themselves may not have been a big deal, but rest assured someone else at Michigan, or maybe elsewhere, will make them one. That's why that deep sigh heard from Tallahassee has echoed all the way up the country and into your living room. 

Ben Kercheval is a lead writer for college football. All quotes cited unless obtained firsthand.