It's not difficult to find NFL scouting concerns about Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston's off-field trouble.
But concerns about his play have come under greater scrutiny relatively recently -- and his performance has asked for it. One NFL scout doesn't have to glance at a single off-field issue before putting the Seminoles' Heisman Trophy winner's pro potential at arm's length, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
"I would be deathly scared to have him. He's so freaking inaccurate to start games," the scout said. "He's off the mark more than he's on. He has arm strength and a good delivery. He's a nightmare."
Winston, a third-year sophomore, has never lost a start in two seasons at FSU, and is two wins away from his second national title. But the flaws in his game have been far more apparent this year than last, when he passed for more than 4,000 yards with a 40-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He's thrown 17 picks this year, including 11 in his last six games. And the slow starts the scout referred to have resulted in halftime deficits for the Seminoles against five opponents: Miami, Louisville, Clemson, Notre Dame, and N.C. State. In all but the Clemson game, when he was suspended, Winston has responded with a hot second half to lead a comeback win.
But while one scout sees the worst of Winston's play, another sees the best of it.
"He has an uncanny ability to know what's around him and get himself out of trouble," another scout told the Journal-Sentinel. "He's not that impressive on some throws but he's the reason they're undefeated."
Winston will be eligible for the 2015 NFL Draft if he chooses to declare by the Jan. 15 underclassman deadline.
He and the Seminoles will face Oregon in the Rose Bowl Jan. 1 in a College Football Playoff semifinal. Winston recently was the subject of a school code-of-conduct hearing related to an alleged sexual assault for which Winston was not charged criminally.
