The Jameis Winston story is a famous one:  A redshirted freshman quarterback takes over a team that has failed to live up to expectations in previous years and wins the national championship as well as collecting the Heisman Trophy along the way.  However,  with one of his favorite targets now in the NFL,  will Winston progress further or is he set for regression?

Okay,  Winston had a lot of talent around him but 4,057 passing yards,  40 touchdowns and ten interceptions is the type of season elite quarterbacks do once or get close to twice,  if they’re lucky.  Never do such high standards come from a freshman.

Statistically,  it will be extremely hard for the Alabama native to replicate such an amazing season.  Kelvin Benjamin,  a first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft for the Carolina Panthers,  caught 54 passes for 1,1011 yards and 15 touchdowns while Kenny Shaw also roped in 54 receptions for 933 yards six touchdowns.  That is a lot of balls going to a different target in 2014.

Nevertheless,  leading receiver Rashad Greene returns after a 76-catch,  1,128-yard,  nine-touchdown season,  as does Nick O’Leary who will be looking to improve on his 33-catch,  seven touchdown junior season and show why he is one of the best tight ends in the nation.  Finally,  the return of left tackle Cameron Erving for his senior year should not be overlooked,  as he will maintain much needed stability along the offensive line.

Finally,  not only does Winston have amazing talent around him on the field,  but he has the support of an amazing coaching staff that is second to none.

While looking at the statistics alone makes it easy to believe Winston is the next Tom Brady,  any football fan who follows the off-season knows it is more than just the box score that matters.  The 6’4” signal caller has technical deficiencies – long throwing motion is the main glitch that springs to mind -  in his game which he will need to work on and prove to NFL scouts and coaches that he has what it takes to reach his ceiling.

So,  while he may not reach the dizzy heights of his Heisman season,  I fully expect Winston to improve mentally and physically under the tuition of Jimbo Fisher and his staff as he works towards a long and prosperous future within the game.

Follow Richard on Twitter @Richard_Gatenby