Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr., who sustained a long-term injury against Bowling Green on Sept. 7 that proved to be season-ending, has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. It shouldn’t come as a surprise for the former All-Big Ten selection who was projected by some analysts as a first-round draft pick before his injury.
It was previously unclear exactly what Winston injured when he exited in the second quarter against the Falcon or what went into the decision to sideline him the remainder of the year. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Winston partially tore his ACL during a “Week 2 practice” which led him to receive surgery conducted by Cowboys head team physician Dr. Dan Cooper.
It is, however, still unclear whether this injury occurred in the week prior to facing Bowling Green or after.
Either way, because of the surgery, Winston is “on pace to be cleared for on-field drills” during the NFL Scouting Combine on Mar. 1.
Winston earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors in his only full game this season after tallying 12 tackles and a forced fumble at West Virginia on Aug. 31. He led the Nittany Lions with 61 tackles last season and was poised to be at the core of the team’s secondary, a unit that would’ve put safety Jaylen Reed at full-time nickel corner.
Winston’s injury seemingly hasn’t damaged his draft stock a ton. While ESPN’s Field Yates does not have Winston listed as a first-round selection, others do. Pro Football Network’s Kent Lee Platte has Winston going to the Kansas City Chiefs with pick No. 32. The Draft Network’s Keith Sanchez and Daniel Harms each have the Buffalo Bills selecting Winston with pick No. 30.
The departure of Winston and, ultimately, Reed leaves Penn State with limited veteran presence entering the 2025 season. Zakee Wheatley should return to the starting lineup, but it’s uncertain who will earn the other spot beside him. It’s possible the Nittany Lions, who are very young at safety, turn to the transfer portal for help.
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