Why Jameis Winston Could Stay at FSU Next Season

It was reported in October by Jason LaCanfora of CBSsports.com, that Florida State Seminoles star quarterback Jameis Winston would forego his final two years of eligibility and enter the NFL Draft. The decision by Winston, which was made according to the report because of recent off-field issues which led to accusations about point shaving, signing autographs for money and the most recent hearing with the Florida State Student Code of Conduct Board over the allegations of sexual assault that occurred two years ago, hasn’t been discussed much.

Maybe it has something to do with the fact that while Winston has overcome all those obstacles and is now taking his 13-0 team to the College Football Playoff with another chance to win a national title.

But as the season ends in less than three weeks, the topic has to be addressed.

Will he stay or will he really go? There needs to be an answer.

“Now, however, in the face of the multiple investigations into him, and what has become an adversarial relationship with school officials (excluding coach Jimbo Fisher and key members of the athletic department) it is virtually certain Winston is declaring no matter what happens in the second half of the season, LaCanfora reported.

While he is certain of being a top five selection in the 2015 NFL Draft where teams like Tampa Bay, Tennessee and the New York Jets all need a quarterback, what if college football’s most controversial player and former Heisman winner pulls a fast one and decides to return for his third season in Garnet and Gold?

As of now, Winston hasn’t applied for the Draft, which means his eligibility has not been compromised for 2015.

Here are a few reasons why I think returning to Tallahassee could still be an option for Winston.

A SUB PAR 2014

Winston’s stats for the 2014 season weren’t even close to what they were in 2013. He finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting this season and has looked average at best in over half the games he has played this year. Could that motivate him to come back?

31-0

If FSU wins the game against Oregon and then claims the national title, it would give him a personal record at FSU of 29-0 and the team would be 31-0 since 2012. Records, history and legacy mean a lot to football players. Right now, winning will help cure a lot of the hassle he has gone through.

FAILING TO WIN THE NATIONAL TITLE

Could that be a motivation to return? Could losing on Jan. 1 or in the title motivate him to win another one? If he is drafted this season, the three teams that could take a shot at him will not be winning any playoff games any time soon.

HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH JIMBO FISHER

The one person who has remained in his corner the entire time he has been at FSU has been his coach, Jimbo Fisher. It seems as though he has been defending his star player from the first day of the season this year. Could that relationship and connection spark a return?