Jameis Winston of Florida State the Focus of Day One of ACC Media Days

Jameis Winston was back in the news Sunday as ACC Media Days began, and for good reason. There’s no bigger story in college football than the controversial Heisman winner.

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And the Florida State quarterback continued his career as the focus of the college football world while talking to the media Sunday. Winston said that he’s learned from his mistakes when asked about the crab legs shoplifting incident and the sexual assault investigation last year, and he talked about having the support of his teammates on dealing with those issues.

But for all the drama off the field, Jameis Winston’s performance on the field is still the main focus. If he stays out of trouble, how can he improve upon a freshman season where he threw for 40 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions, racked up more than 4,000 yards through the air, completed 67 percent of his passes, had another 4 touchdowns and 219 yards rushing, and lead his team to an undefeated season and won the national championship plus the Heisman trophy?

Well, he seemed confident enough to repeat, evidenced by him saying he doesn’t know where his Heisman trophy is. Who would lose that?

Maybe I would, simply because I think the Heisman trophy is a joke anyway. But for Winston to say he lost it, if he’s not simply lying to create more attention, either he thinks it’s a joke award like me, he doesn’t value trophies at all, or he is pretty confident his sophomore campaign will be better. And he has good reason to believe that.

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With the First Pick

Winston may have lost Kelvin Benjamin, but his top target from last year, Rashad Greene is back. He also has his tight end, Nick O’Leary, back. You don’t think FSU can plug in other receivers. Add to that the fact that running back Devonta Freeman is gone, and Winston might even have more of a load to should this year. There’s a good chance Jimbo Fisher will use him even more than last year, so Winston has a great chance to add to his stats.

If he can stay out of trouble, he sounds prepared to do that, so let’s see how it plays out. Just how ready is he?

“Of course I’m ready for football, man,” he said Sunday. “What kind of question is that? I’m always ready.”

Cole Stoudt Ready to Replace Tajh Boyd at Clemson

Cole Stoudt took the stage Sunday at ACC Media Days and talked about patiently waiting for his chance to finally start for the Clemson Tigers. Replacing a legend Tajh Boyd will be tough, but over the past three years he has completed 86 of 119 passes for 8 touchdowns

Jul 20, 2014; Greensboro, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cole Stoudt addresses the media during the ACC football media day at the Grandover Resort. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

and just 1 interception when stepping in for Boyd.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and other players around Stoudt used patience and discipline to describe him, according to a CBS Sports report here.

Stoudt comes from a football pedigree, with his father, Cliff Stoudt, a former NFL quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1977 to 1989.

Clemson fans should have nothing to worry about with Stoudt replacing Boyd. He appears ready to go, and he’s looked good when he’s been put in the game.

But you won’t notice that this year. I’m sorry, but Sammy Watkins has been the root of the Tigers offensive success the past few years,  and that’s where last year’s offense will be missed. There’s no way Stoudt can look as good as Boyd, because he won’t have Watkins to throw to.

Midway through the year, after the Tigers have two sure losses to Florida State and Georgia and possibly a third, you’ll hear some fans talk about the loss of Boyd. That’s completely unfair to Stoudt.

Watkins’s departure is the real reason for depression.