a38133b6c75abb29450f6a706700ed29.jpg

In this Nov. 2, 2013 file photo, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (5) smiles before the start of an NCAA college football game against Miami, in Tallahassee, Fla. Winston envisioned winning the Heisman Trophy before signing with the top-ranked Seminoles. He is one of six finalists for the award and will find out Saturday if his dream comes true. (AP Photo/Phil Sears, File)

NEW YORK

-- The Heisman trophy is coming back to the Birmingham metro area.



Jameis Winston

, Florida State's dazzling quarterback who led the Seminoles back to the BCS National Championship and played through the scrutiny of a sexual assault investigation, became the second consecutive freshman to win college football's most prestigious honor.

Winston, who grew up in Bessemer and played at Hueytown High, was the clear winner among the six finalists invited to Saturday's ceremony, collecting 668 first-place votes and 2,205 voter points. It marked the fifth-largest victory in the modern era of Heisman voting.

Surrounded by former Heisman winners, Winston fought back tears as he delivered his speech.

"I was proud," Winston said. "When I looked down in the stands, I saw my mom's and my dad's eyes and they felt so proud. I ain't seen that look in their eyes for a long time."

Alabama quarterback

AJ McCarron

received 79 first-place votes and finished second overall with 704 voter points.

"It's awesome, just a dream come true," said McCarron, who won the Maxwell Award on Thursday. "If you would have told me when I started football at the age of 3 that I was going to finish second in the Heisman race my senior year, I probably would have told you you're crazy and so would my dad."

Northern Illinois quarterback

Jordan Lynch

finished in third, Boston College running back

Andre Williams

finished in fourth, reigning champion

Johnny Manziel

came in fifth and Auburn running back

Tre Mason

finished sixth.

Mason and McCarron were separated by just 300 voter points.

Of the 900 voters, 115 left Winston completely off their ballots.

(Check out the full voter breakdown)

He's the third winner in Florida State history, joining quarterbacks

Charlie Ward

(1993) and

Chris Weinke

(2000). He is the third Birmingham-area native to win the award, as Auburn's

Pat Sullivan

(1971) and

Bo Jackson

(1985) each brought it home to the Magic City.

Winston is the seventh quarterback in the past eight years and 11th since 2000 to win the Heisman.

After a year on the sidelines behind future first-round draft pick

EJ Manuel

, Winston introduced himself to the college football world with a bang. He completed his first 11 passes in Florida State's season-opening rout at Pittsburgh and never looked back, ultimately finishing the top-ranked Seminoles' undefeated season with 3,820 yards, 38 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

During a three-week stretch in late September and early October in which Florida State flexed its muscles against some of its top ACC competition, Winston threw for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns.

His gaudy numbers took a backseat during November, when allegations of sexual assault dating back to January 2012 surfaced. After the investigation was revived by Florida state attorney

Willie Meggs

and drew daily, national coverage, Winston ultimately did not face any charges.

"By me being a football player and knowing my team needed me, by them supporting me, I knew I had to focus on the future, but I also had to focus on my family with everything that was going on with the investigation," Winston said Friday. "I knew I did nothing wrong. I knew that I could respect the process and I'd eventually be vindicated."

Winston was an overwhelming favorite while the investigation lingered. When no charges were levied, a landslide was anticipated.

Still, doubt filled Winston's mind as he waited for his name to be called Saturday.

"That last commercial break was rough," Winston said. "So many great players are around you. You always have that feeling of doubt in your mind because anything can happen."

Winston, who also plays baseball at Florida State, was a highlight machine as Hueytown High's star quarterback. A starter as a freshman, Winston truly began to blossom as a sophomore, when new coach

Matt Scott

installed an offense that featured a mixture of spread and power-run formations.

A five-star prospect whom Rivals.com considered the nation's No. 1 dual-threat quarterback, Winston drew interest from schools all across the country, including nearby Alabama and Auburn. He ultimately announced his decision to leave his home state for Tallahassee on 2012's National Signing Day.

He'll square off against a team from his home state for the first time in his Florida State career Jan. 6, when the Seminoles play Auburn for the BCS National Championship.

"When I play against a team from Alabama, I don't care if it's UAB or South Alabama, I know people there. That's my rivalry game," Winston said Friday. "That gives me the opportunity to show them, 'Hey, I left the state and now I want to get at you.'"