He and his family have gone to great lengths to keep the recruiting fever in perspective, said Scott. His list started with 20 schools. He pared that list to Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Ohio State and Stanford. He then pared that list more recently to four: Alabama, Auburn, Florida State and LSU. Auburn, however, may be on the brink of elimination after picking up a commitment from No. 30-ranked quarterback prospect Zeke Pike of Edgewood, Ky., a few weeks back.
His legs are a key to his football success. A nimble passer with a major-league arm, he is elusive in the pocket where can dodge fire-breathing defensive ends with ease, quick enough to outrun speedy defensive backs, and strong enough to run over a linebacker if he needs too. His quarterbacking style has drawn comparisons to 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton from recruiting analyst Lemming, who rates him
No. 21 overall in the Top 100 recruits of 2012 and the nation's No. 2 quarterback prospect behind Gunner Kiel of Columbus-East High School in Columbus (Ind.).
"He reminds me of Cam Newton," Lemming has said. "He can really throw the out pass with authority, which is what coaches see."
Last season he led Hueytown (11-2) to the third round of the Class 5A state playoffs with wins over Paul Bryant (Tuscaloosa) and defending state champion Demopolis. Eventual state champion Spanish Fort eliminated Winston and the Golden Gophers in the quarterfinals.
Winston earned Super All-State honors at quarterback with 870 yards and 11 touchdowns rushing on 128 carries and another 2,342 yards passing on a 65-percent completion rate. He was 178-for-272 with 17 touchdowns and just four interceptions.
In the 2010 baseball season, he had 91 strikeouts and an 8-3 record in 79 innings. He also had two saves while hitting .424 with seven homers and 36 RBIs.
Winston has given some insight to his college decision.
"First, it's the relationships with the coaches," said Winston. "Second, they must agree to allow me to play baseball."
And if pro baseball scouts are right, he will also have to make another decision: whether to take the money and run straight to the pros as a pitcher or wait for at least three years until he's had time to convince NFL scouts of his vast quarterbacking talents. Another banner baseball season next spring could catapult Winston into the first round of the 2012 June baseball draft.
"How many times do you get a guy who's a phenom in both sports?" his high school football coach said. "What I tell all of them is, you'd better understand that baseball is just as important to him as football."
Winston will head into his senior season as the state's highest-rated quarterback since Philip Rivers (1999). He promises to end the recruiting suspense early. He said he will likely decide on his college choice by mid summer.
