Jameis Winston Officially Named Florida State Starting Quarterback

April 13, 2013; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) during the second half of the Florida State spring game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

The Jameis Winston era has officially begun in Tallahassee, Fla.

After a battle throughout the spring and summer, Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher has officially named redshirt freshman Jameis Winston his starting quarterback for this upcoming season. While this decision may not come as a shock to some, it certainly is shocking that it took this long.

Winston went head-to-head with fellow QB Jacob Coker throughout all the workouts, including this past April’s spring game. This was also a QB race that saw former FSU signal caller Clint Trickett transfer to the West Virginia Mountaineers, after it was obvious following the spring game that this was a fight betwen Coker and Winston.

Nonetheless, this FSU squad–fresh off an Orange Bowl-winning season–is now in the hands of one of the more highly touted recruits in some time.

From Hueytown, Ala., Winston spurned offers from the in-state, powerhouse Crimson Tide and the Stanford Cardinal among a host of others, mainly due to the fact that Jimbo Fisher showed no ill will toward the young man also playing baseball on campus. Winston did play on the diamond for the ‘Noles this past season.

The comparisons to the great, former FSU QB Charlie Ward are endless, and rightfully so in some cases. Winston has a powerful, accurate arm but can also make incredible plays with his feet. He’s shown great command of the offense since he stepped onto the field for spring practice.

With a wealth of offensive talent around him, the pieces are in place for Jameis Winston to take the ball and run with it–literally. Next Monday in Pittsburgh, the world will finally get to see the former Elite 11 MVP showcase himself.

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Jack is a Staff Writer for Saturday Blitz. Follow Jack on Twitter @JackJ14CFB