NFL prospect Jameis Winston is facing a lawsuit from a woman who accused the former Florida State quarterback of rape in an incident that occurred back in 2012.

In the lawsuit filed on Thursday, the student has stated that Winston sexually assaulted her in his off-campus apartment and accused him of sexual battery, assault, false imprisonment and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Winston's attorney has labelled it a "stunt" and insisted that it was expected as the false accusations have already been exposed and rejected six times in total.

"Mr Winston welcomes the opportunity to clear his name with the truth. He will not permit this ploy to distract him as he begins the journey of fulfilling his lifelong dream of being a championship quarterback in the National Football League," he said in a statement.

The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner, who is expected to be one of the first players chosen in this year's NFL Draft, has never been criminally charged following on from the incident.