Kevin Winston Jr. did not have the 2024 season he hoped for, but he has elected to turn pro. The Penn State junior announced on Thursday is headed to the NFL draft.
“After much thought and prayer, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be declaring for the 2025 NFL draft,” Winston’s statement reads in part. “This has been my dream for as long as I can remember, and I’m ready to embrace this next challenge with the same dedication and heart that got me to this point.”
Winston suffered a partial ACL tear earlier this season, limiting him to only three games played. He will not be available to the Nittany Lions during their upcoming playoff games, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Winston should receive full clearance by March 1. That would allow for him to participate in the NFL Combine later that month.
A former four-star recruit, Winston played sparingly during his freshman season. He took on a much larger workload last year, however, establishing himself as a full-time starter. Winston led the team in tackles with 61, adding one interception, five pass breakups and three tackles for loss along the way. That production led to All-Big Ten honorable mentions and elevated expectations for 2024.
Due to the injury, though, Winston’s attention for the past several months has been focused solely on recovery. Provided he is cleared to take part in pre-draft workouts, he will be able to help rebuild his stock. The 6-2, 201-pounder has the size to be a regular contributor on defense at the NFL level, and Scouts Inc. has him listed as this year’s third-ranked safety. Especially if everything plays out well on the health front, he should hear his name called on Day 2 of the draft.