Heisman survey: Jameis Winston keeps lead on Johnny Manziel

Thomas O'Toole | USA TODAY Sports

An investigation into sexual battery allegations against Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has not impacted his status in USA TODAY Sports' weekly Heisman Trophy survey.

The redshirt freshman maintained his comfortable lead over Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel in the first survey conducted since the allegations became public last week.

Winston holds the majority of first-place votes from 27 Heisman voters who work for Gannett properties. Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel remained in second and Oregon QB Marcus Mariota stayed third.

The top three vote-getters each saw slight increases in their percentages of the total vote.

Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty, who leads the national in passing efficiency, gained a bit on fourth-place AJ McCarron of Alabama. Petty's percentage of the total vote fell to 5.5 % from 6.8 last week, but McCarron slid from 11.5% to 7.4.

Winston, second in the country in passing efficiency, has denied the allegations from an incident that police say occurred in December of 2012. No charges have been filed, and Florida State has said there is no change in Winston's status with the team.

The investigation, however, is ongoing.

Breaking down the ballots (three points are awarded for a first-place vote, two for second and one for third):

1. QB Jameis Winston, Florida State: 19-6-3 = 72

2. QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M: 7-11-6 = 49

3. QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon: 1-5-8 = 21

4. QB AJ McCarron, Alabama: 1-4-9 = 20

5. QB Bryce Petty, Baylor: 1-3-3 = 12

6. (tie) QB Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois: 0-0-1 = 1

6. (tie) QB Braxton Miller, Ohio State: 0-0-1 = 1

More than two dozen staffers from Gannett properties participate each week.