Jameis game-time decision at NFL combine

SAN DIEGO, Feb. 16 (UPI) -- At a time when prospective NFL players are being vetted, interrogated, researched, and examined phsyically and psycologically before the April 30 NFL Draft, pictures of a possibly overweight Jameis Winston sparked national intrigue. Now the quarterback's participation in throwing drills at Saturday's NFL combine is a game-time decision, according to the USA Today.

"It's a game-time decision,'' Winston's quarterback coach George Whitfield Jr. told USA TODAY Sports. "He's a very big believer in himself, so it'll be interesting. He's prepared to do it. Whether he goes in and does it will probably be determined a couple of days from now."

"At this time, he hasn't made a decision.''

Whitfield Jr., a quarterback coaching guru and ESPN analyst, has been hosting the former Florida State Heisman Trophy winner and Baylor's former gunslinger Bryce Petty in preparation for draft day.

The NFL combine airs from Feb. 17 to Feb 23. Several NFL draft analysts have had Winston penciled in as the top overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Oregon's Marcus Mariota being selected as the second quarterback selected.

"Jameis is in shape and doing great," Whitfield told CBS Sports. "Anyone saying he's out of shape, they can check him out at the Combine this week."

Whitfield debunked the photo, crediting the weight gain assumption to the harness Winston was wearing in the photo.

"He's lost about 12, 15 pounds," Whitfield told USA Today. "When you hear stuff about Jameis, the weight and he's getting fat — What do people think, that I've been golfing while he's been playing Call of Duty?"

The 6-4, 230-pound pound Winston started training with Whitfield in San Diego five weeks ago.