For the first overall draft pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected on Thursday Florida State's Jameis Winston to be their "long-awaited" franchise quarterback.

Winston, according to The New York Times, led his team to the 2013 national championship and has already been rumored to be on the top of the draft along with University of Oregon's Marcus Mariota.

His successful career was, however, smeared by allegations that he raped a former Florida State student.

ESPN said that Winston being selected as the No.1 pick is "an indication they don't believe a series of off-field incidents at Florida State will be a precursor to future behavior."

For his part, Winston admitted that he still has a lot of work to do. "Actions speak so much louder than words, or what they may have read or what they may have heard. It's about your actions. Whatever is in the past is in the past. I look forward to gaining everyone's trust," he said in the ESPN report.

"It's so surreal; it feels like the championship game in 2013," Winston was quoted by The New York Times as saying.

In explaining their pick, Bucs general manager Jason Licht said that if Winston was not a good guy, the team would not have used their first pick on him. The team reportedly did their own investigation on the incident and came up with the conclusion that their No. 1 pick will not cause them any more trouble.

For this, Winston said he is thankful to the Bucs for still believing in him.

"I have been cleared six times. I've been cleared six times on that situation. So I took that situation so seriously. But, at the end of the day, I've got to keep moving forward. That's why I'm so thankful right now. I continue to thank the Glazers, continue to thank Mr. Licht and continue to thank coach [Lovie] Smith for believing in me," he told ESPN.

According to The New York Times, Winston was able to beat Mariota, who is known for his "wide-open football style." The No. 1 pick will reportedly be the face of the team as it works towards rejuvinating its franchise.

The Tennessee Titans, who had the second pick in the draft, picked 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Mariota.

Other draft picks on Thursday were Florida defensive end Dante Fowler who was the Jaguars' third overall pick, Alabama wideout Amari Cooper at No. 4 for the Raiders and Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff rounded out the top 5 as he was selected by the Redskins. At No. 6 was USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams going to the Jets.

ESPN added that Todd Gurley, who suffered from a torn ACL in November was the No. 10 overall pick who went to the Rams.