While a Tallahassee Police Department investigation into an alleged sexual assault by Jameis Winston continues, the Florida State quarterback has maintained his focus on the field.
Winston has thrown for 2,938 yards and 28 touchdowns, leading an FSU offense that has scored 40 or more points in all 10 games this season. He has compiled one of the best passing seasons in school history and is a top contender for the Heisman Trophy.
Recent polls of Heisman voters have said that few would leave Winston off their ballot or drop him altogether because of Winston’s off-field matters as they stand now. Winston has not been arrested or charged as part of a December 2012 case.
Winston said he is happy that voters are considering his on-field merits for college football’s most prestigious award.
“It’s about the hard work and dedication that you put in on and off the field,” Winston said. “Me and my team, we have had a very successful year. The Heisman is such a great honor for me to even be mentioned. I don’t want to lose any voters or anything like that.”
Many voters consider Winston the Heisman front-runner — ahead of quarterbacks Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M and AJ McCarron of Alabama — but they are also cautiously watching and waiting to see what develops in the next few weeks before casting their ballots.
There are still two weeks left in the regular season – No. 2 FSU (10-0) plays host to Idaho on Saturday and finishes up at Florida on Nov. 30. After that, the Seminoles will play in the ACC championship game Dec. 7 in Charlotte, N.C.
The Heisman Trophy will be presented the following Saturday — Dec. 14.
USA Today compiled a poll of the 27 Heisman voters from both that paper and the chain’s Gannett papers. Of those voters, 19 cast a first-place vote for Winston and seven put Manziel first. In a poll of 10 voters on Heismanpundit.com, Winston earned six first-place votes.
One voter, ESPN’s Robert Smith, has been vocal in saying that he would not vote for Winston as long as he is under investigation. But Smith also seems to be part of a small group with that opinion.
The Heisman is a perception award. And the perception, at the moment, is that Winston will be invited to New York for the ceremony — and could very well win.
Winston is also likely the runaway winner of the Atlantic Coast Conference player and freshman of the year awards.
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