Kevin Hart -- I'm Glad I Roasted Jameis ... 'He's a Good Kid'

You only roast the ones you love ... this according to Kevin Hart who says he actually LIKES Jameis Winston ... and that's why he grilled the FSU star to his face last week.

The "Wedding Ringer" star was leaving The Nice Guy restaurant on La Cienega last night when he defended the Florida State quarterback.

"He's a good guy. He's a good kid. He's a great athlete," Hart said.

When asked if he went a little too hard on the guy by teasing him about the crab theft incident in front of all of his FSU teammates, Hart shot that down too.

Jameis didn't seem happy about the grilling at the time ... but clearly, Hart is confident the two are on good terms.