Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is the presumptive No. 1 pick in the NFL draft, but he evidently won't be in Chicago for the festivities.
Sports Illustrated reported Monday that Winston plans to spend the draft at home in Alabama. Winston's father confirmed the report to ESPN, but added that the decision "was not set in stone."
NFL Media's Albert Breer reported Winston informed the NFL when he was recently in New York that he plans to stay home for draft. While the league would like to see the top prospects in attendance, Breer was told by league spokesman Brian McCarthy, "It's up to the individual player if he wants to go."
It's hard to believe Winston -- or, frankly, anybody set to go No. 1 in the NFL or NBA draft -- would miss out on that moment in the spotlight. Spending time with your family is admirable, but there's nothing stopping Winston's family from being with him in Chicago.
There was a big to-do made about Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas not being at the draft when he was selected third overall by Cleveland in 2007; Thomas famously went fishing instead. But you wonder if Thomas would've gone fishing had he been in line to go first overall.
It wouldn't be a surprise if Winston's plans were to change over the next seven weeks. You're only picked No. 1 overall in the NFL draft once.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.
