Despite the knucklehead moments and serious allegations in Jameis Winston's college football career, NFL teams are going to give him the same shot they would give anyone, especially Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith.

According to ESPN, Smith, whose team has the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, gave a press conference to discuss his team's options with that pick. Several pundits and insiders have said the Buccaneers are set on choosing a quarterback first overall and are deciding between Winston and Marcus Mariota.

"Let's talk about the elephant in the room," Smith said Wednesday at the NFL scouting combine. "He's been accused of a crime. There's an allegation. I have faith in our court system. He went through it. He went through the school justice system, and he was cleared. He went through our court system and he was cleared, exonerated."

His comments may be confirming previous reports that the coach "likes" Winston and is willing to take him on the team and deal with potential headaches. However, Smith also indicated the team is still in the process of choosing.

Both Todd McShay and Mel Kiper, ESPN's draft experts, projected Winston as the top overall pick. It is widely believed that Smith prefers Winston's refined pocket presence and arm talent to Mariota's athleticism and creativity out of the pocket. But it is also widely accepted that Mariota is a far safer bet in terms of off-field issues.

Smith seems to be willing to look past that if it means drafting the Buccaneers' franchise QB. Winston has not yet said if he will throw at the combine, but scouts and evaluators are likely more looking forward to the physical drills and interviews.

"To me, I think he's told us an awful lot with how he's handled it," Smith said. "It's not like he's getting ready to go into the NFL and scrutiny is coming his way. He's gone through it a couple years now and he's answered the bell. That's what you have to do. You have to have tunnel vision and do your job. Looking from the outside, that's what he's been able to do."