While most of the Bucs and Florida State connection talk in the upcoming draft revolve around Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston, the polarizing QB isn’t the only Nole on the Bucs radar. FSU guard Tre’ Jackson met with a number of NFL teams at last week’s Senior Bowl in Mobile and told PewterReport.com that Tampa Bay was one of those teams.
We asked Jackson, who earned Outstanding Player honors following last Saturday’s game, how difficult it was this season with the Seminoles under the national microscope.
“Coach Fisher has been preaching since I got there my freshmen year, to eliminate the clutter,” Jackson said. “That is something he really harped on. But we never really had to deal with it as we did this past year. But the way we were able to lock in on our opponent every week is something you don’t find that at many schools.”
Jackson was complimentary of his quarterback’s ability to deal with the outside adversity.
“When we saw the things he was going through, the things he was fighting and still come out and play his best game, continue to do things that Jameis Winston does, it drives you to eliminate the clutter and be the best.”
When asked who was the best quarterback in the upcoming draft, the obvious biased guard was quick with his answer.
“No question (he is the best quarterback),” Jackson said. “I think he is the best player in (all) of college football.”
Jackson said the thought of reuniting with Winston in Tampa Bay would be just fine with him.
“It would be a great feeling (to play for the Bucs),” Jackson said. “I never really thought about it until I started talking to Tampa out here this week. It would be a great feeling playing with Jameis Winston again.”
Unfortunately for Tampa Bay, Jackson’s stellar play may have pushed his stock out of the Bucs range. Coming into the Senior Bowl most felt Jackson was a third-round pick, but some, including Sports Illustrated’s Chris Burke, think Jackson could find himself being selected in the late first round after a great week in Mobile working with Jags line coach Tony Boselli.
Boselli talked to Seminoles.com last week at the Senior Bowl.
“He worked great at practice and did a good job of everything that was thrown at him,” Boselli said. “… He’s a good football player.”
