And during the Elite 11 quarterback camp that summer, former NFL quarterback and current ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer recognized that promise.
He predicted that one day Winston would encounter a team that challenged him physically, forcing him to rely on his mental acuity and quick thinking to carry his team.
"3rd-and-7, down by four, fourth quarter," said Dilfer to Winston as he unknowingly dictated the young signal-caller's future.
"They're gonna keep you in the pocket. They're not gonna let you be fast and quick and all that. And that's gonna be a mistake because you're gonna beat 'em there."
A young Winston listened to that imaginary scenario.
And then, three years later, he delivered to Dilfer and the rest of the world a virtually identical scenario in the 2014 BCS National Championship game.
The Seminoles trailed the Auburn Tigers by four points in the fourth quarter, and Winston faced a 3rd-and-8 situation.
As the pocket collapsed around him, he calmly threw down the middle into the end zone on a play that was ultimately flagged for pass interference (at the 2:55 mark of the video).
Winston converted the very next play into the game-winning touchdown, capping off an undefeated season for the National Champion Florida State Seminoles.
Do you believe in fate yet?
[via Reddit]
