Jameis Winston's stats echoing pace of past Heisman winners

Published Oct. 9, 2013 9:54 a.m. ET

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Jimbo Fisher has comically called his quarterback a "work in progress."

Maybe he means that all quarterbacks show room for improvement. Because with Jameis Winston, he's a redshirt freshman in name only -- someone who is playing on a level that’s among the best in college football.

Winston is on pace to have one of the best passing seasons in Florida State history. And a few single-season school passing records could be Winston's, too.

It began on Labor Day as Winston threw for 356 yards and four passing touchdowns on a 25-of-27 night in a season-opening win at Pittsburgh. And it continued on Saturday as Winston threw for career highs in passing yards (393) and touchdowns (five).

"I think with the team that I have it's always been easy," Winston said. "It's probably slowing down a little bit more because I'm getting used to the speed and everything. Those guys around me, I have so many weapons."

Winston, who is 5-0 as Florida State’s starter, is completing 73.2 percent of his passes and has 17 touchdowns. Both of those numbers put him among the top passers in the nation.

But his 17 touchdowns through five games puts him well ahead of the pace needed to break the Seminoles’ school record for passing TDs in a single season. Chris Weinke had 33 TDs in his Heisman Trophy season of 2000.

And speaking of Heisman … Winston's numbers compare favorably through five games to the last five Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks.

Winston's 17 TDs are second to Baylor's Robert Griffin III (18 TDs in 2011) and Oklahoma's Sam Bradford (18 TDs in 2008). Winston's completion percentage of 73.2 is second just to Griffin's 80.2.

And, of course, Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel confirmed that a freshman could win the Heisman. Manziel's 2012 numbers, through five games, were all quite good -- but they are lower than Winston’s.

Now Winston has a week off to prepare for a showdown at No. 3 Clemson on Oct. 19, a matchup that features two of the nation's top teams and top quarterbacks. Tigers senior QB Tajh Boyd is also having an impressive season, with 1,449 passing yards and 14 TDs in his first five games. (Clemson hosts Boston College on Saturday.)

Fisher was asked about the Heisman-like chatter. He thinks Winston will be able to block out the attention. But in the end, Fisher feels that voters keep an eye on wins as much or more than stats.

"The Heisman has turned into the guy whose team has most wins and is the best player on the team," Fisher said.

How Winston's numbers compare to Heisman winners (through 5 games)

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