King: Jameis Winston not planning to attend NFL draft

Jameis Winston reportedly not planning to attend next month's NFL draft

Author:
SI Wire
Publish date:
Mar 16, 2015

Former Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is not planning on attending the NFL draft, according to The MMQB.com’s Peter King.

According to King, Winston plans to spend the draft with family and friends.

The NFL draft will take place April 30 to May 2 in Chicago.

Winston is expected to be a top draft pick. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the first pick in the draft, and Winston visited the team earlier this month.

“I just want them to know I am human and I'm a great person, and this smile isn't fake,” Winston said in a video posted on the team’s website. “I just want to show them I can be the face of this franchise one day.”

• BURKE: 2015 NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Jameis Winston still No. 1 overall to Bucs

Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith said the team would be comfortable with Winston as the face of the franchise even though Winston made several off-the-field headlines during his time at Florida State, including being accused of sexual assault. Authorities chose not to charge Winston with any crime, citing a lack of evidence in the case.

Winston went 27-1 as a starter at Florida State, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the Seminoles to a national title in his first season and a College Football Playoff appearance last season.

Tampa Bay went 2-14 last season and missed the playoffs for the seventh straight year.

GALLERY: PLAYERS REACTING TO BEING DRAFTED

Players Reacting to Being Drafted

Players Reacting to Being Drafted :: Brett Favre

Brett Favre talks to the Atlanta Falcons from his bedroom on NFL draft day in 1991. Favre was drafted in the second round by the Falcons, and later traded to the Packers.

Deion Sanders

Florida State's Deion Sanders reacts as he sits with television reporter Andrea Kremer at his agent's suburban home in 1989. Sanders was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the fifth pick in the first round.

Ray Lewis

Ray Lewis is hugged by his grandmother Elease while speaking with the Baltimore Ravens after being taken in the first round of the 1996 draft.

Jeremy Shockey

Miami tight end Jeremy Shockey chats on the phone with New York Giants officials as friends and family react to his selection at No. 14 in the 2002 draft.

Kyle Boller

California quarterback Kyle Boller, far right, reacts as he learns that he has been drafted 19th by the Baltimore Ravens in the 2003 draft.

Drew Brees

Purdue quarterback Drew Brees and his girl friend react to his selection by the San Diego Chargers with the 32nd pick in the 2001 draft.

DeMarcus Ware

Troy defensive end DeMarcus Ware, seated next to his fiancee, reacts to news that the Dallas Cowboys had selected him in the first round of the 2005 draft.

Jay Cutler

Vanderbilt University quarterback Jay Cutler and his family get the news that he was taken 11th by the Denver Broncos in the 2006 draft. Cutler was at a restaurant celebrating his birthday on the same day.

Edgerrin James

Miami Hurricanes running back Edgerrin James reacts to the news that the Indianapolis Colts chose him with the fourth pick in the 1999 NFL draft.

Marshawn Lynch

California running back Marshawn Lynch talks on the phone as he is congratulated by supporters at his former high school, Oakland Technical High School, after he was picked by the Buffalo Bills as the No. 12 pick overall in the 2007 draft.

Jason Campbell

Former Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell talks on the phone with Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs after the Redskins selected him with the 25th pick in the 2005 draft.

Roddy White

Alabama-Birmingham receiver Roddy White is hugged by his mother as he talks to Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora Jr. on one of two cell phones. White was selected 27th overall by the Falcons in the 2005 draft.

Willis McGahee

University of Miami running back Willis McGahee has his mother wipe tears after he was picked 23rd by the Buffalo Bills in the 2003 draft. McGahee was the first running back picked that year.

Star Lotulelei

Star Lotulelei, from Utah, reacts next to his wife as they hold their daughters, while his niece cheers after he was selected 14th by the Carolina Panthers in 2013.

Ted Ginn Jr.

Ohio State wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. embraces his mother and girlfriend after receiving a phone call from the Miami Dolphins, who chose him with the No. 9 pick in the 2007 draft.

Jammal Brown

Oklahoma offensive tackle Jammal Brown tries on a New Orleans Saints hat after the Saints selected him 14th in the 2005 draft.

Vincent Jackson

RJ Sangosti/ The Denver Post/Getty Images

Vincent Jackson celebrates after being drafted in the second round of the 2005 draft, as his mother looks on.

Jadeveon Clowney

Jadeveon Clowney reacts with his mother, Josenna, after being selected first by the Houston Texans in the 2014 draft at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Carnell Williams

Auburn running back Carnell Williams talks on his cell phone with Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden as his mother reacts to the news of Carnell being selected No. 5 by the Bucs in the 2005 draft.

Chad Pennington

Chad Pennington talks with New York Jets coach Al Groth after being selected 18th in the 2000 draft.

Chris Williams

Vanderbilt offensive tackle Chris Williams celebrates as it is announced he has been selected 14th by the Chicago Bears in 2008.

Jerome McDougle

Miami defensive end Jerome McDougle celebrates with his parents and agent after he was taken by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 15th pick in the 2003 NFL draft.

John Henderson

Tennessee defensive tackle John Henderson talks on a cell phone during a family celebration after he was selected No. 9 by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2002.

Marcus Spears

Marcus Spears, who played defensive end for Lousiana State, celebrates while learning he was being drafted 20th by the Dallas Cowboys in 2005.

Mike Rumph

Miami cornerback Mike Rumph gets the call from the San Francisco 49ers that he was selected 27th in the 2002 draft.

Duane Starks

University of Miami defensive back Duane Starks, with his mother seated next to him, smiles as he is informed of being drafted 10th by the Baltimore Ravens in 1998.

Peria Jerry

Mississippi defensive tackle Peria Jerry reacts after being chosen 24th by the Atlanta Falcons in 2009.

Rashaan Salaam

University of Colorado running back Rashaan Salaam is embraced by his mother and his uncle while learning that he had been picked 21st by the Chicago Bears in 1991.

Reinard Wilson

Florida State linebacker Reinard Wilson accepts congratulations as he talks to the Cincinnati Bengals, who picked him 14th in the 1997 draft.

Renaldo Wynn

Notre Dame defensive end Renaldo Wynn, who was taken at No. 21 by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1997 draft, celebrates with his wife.

Shawn Andrews

Arkansas offensive tackle Shawn Andrews reacts with his mother and friends after learning he was selected 16th by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2004.

Victor Adeyanju

Indiana defensive end Victor Adeyanju is given a celebratory hug by his brother after hearing that he was drafted in the fourth round by the St. Louis Rams in the 2006 draft.

- Scooby Axson