FB Recruiting DB Kevin Winston Jr. declares for 2025 NFL Draft

[Richie O]

Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on Instagram.

Penn State Football DB Kevin Winston Jr. declares for 2025 NFL Draft

Penn State's KJ Winston is officially entering the NFL Draft.

pennstate.rivals.com

 

[LandoComando]

Best of luck to him

 

[Richie O]

Interesting injury tidbit from Adam Schefter mentioned above.

Schefter also reported that Winston's official injury was a partially torn ACL that he suffered prior to the Nittany Lion's week two matchup against Bowling Green.

Winston would attempt to play in the game, but would leave the game in the first half and wouldn't return this season. Schefter also notes that Winston is expected to be cleared for on-field drills by March 1.

 

[ryoder1]

In other news the sun will set today.

 

[ryoder1]

I wonder if we would be undefeated if we was not hurt? I can't believe Oregon would have put up 45 on us with him healthy. Also, have to think he could have been a crucial difference vs OSU. At least maybe making a play on their final drive so we could get the ball back.

 

[psu1969a]

Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on Instagram.

Penn State Football DB Kevin Winston Jr. declares for 2025 NFL Draft

Penn State's KJ Winston is officially entering the NFL Draft.

pennstate.rivals.com

Foolish!!!

 

[Delcolion915]

Typical Franklin.

 

[bcspsu]

Interesting injury tidbit from Adam Schefter mentioned above.

Schefter also reported that Winston's official injury was a partially torn ACL that he suffered prior to the Nittany Lion's week two matchup against Bowling Green.

Winston would attempt to play in the game, but would leave the game in the first half and wouldn't return this season. Schefter also notes that Winston is expected to be cleared for on-field drills by March 1.

What's interesting is that Rappleyea also apparrently was injured during the practice week before the BG game and was lost for the season; that must have been some week of practice.

 

[bcspsu]

Interesting injury tidbit from Adam Schefter mentioned above.

Schefter also reported that Winston's official injury was a partially torn ACL that he suffered prior to the Nittany Lion's week two matchup against Bowling Green.

Winston would attempt to play in the game, but would leave the game in the first half and wouldn't return this season. Schefter also notes that Winston is expected to be cleared for on-field drills by March 1.

Thank you to Schefter for finally reporting what his mysterious injury was, although I think that most of us could've figured that it was some type of ACL injury.

 

[royboy]

Thank you to Schefter for finally reporting what his mysterious injury was, although I think that most of us could've figured that it was some type of ACL injury.

Yeah, and was there ever a good reason for all the secrecy?

 

[Lion_Backer]

I wonder if we would be undefeated if we was not hurt? I can't believe Oregon would have put up 45 on us with him healthy. Also, have to think he could have been a crucial difference vs OSU. At least maybe making a play on their final drive so we could get the ball back.

And how do you think that HE feels?

Knowing that you are unable to be out there on the field with your teammates to help them win a B1G and National Championship. And that your skillset and leadership could make the difference.

I can't imagine him not being frustrated with his role as the Lions embark on their first ever college football national championship playoff.

 

[bcspsu]

Yeah, and was there ever a good reason for all the secrecy?

Of course not. As I've said before, my guess is that it's a university policy to comply with some kind of health privacy law.

 

[IANit]

Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on Instagram.

Penn State Football DB Kevin Winston Jr. declares for 2025 NFL Draft

Penn State's KJ Winston is officially entering the NFL Draft.

pennstate.rivals.com

Must have talked to LJ Sr.

 

[voltz99]

Typical Franklin.

Typical delco

 

[LMTLION]

Yeah, and was there ever a good reason for all the secrecy?

It’s not Franklin making those decisions. I would bet a fortune that PSU attorneys have made the decision that this is HIPAA information and cannot be divulged.

 

[royboy]

It’s not Franklin making those decisions. I would bet a fortune that PSU attorneys have made the decision that this is HIPAA information and cannot be divulged.

Of course not. As I've said before, my guess is that it's a university policy to comply with some kind of health privacy law.

Well, probably so.

As the college game comes increasingly closer to professional football, I'd like to see some practices that the NFL does -- reporting injury status weekly, providing more info about player injuries, and while we're at it -- professional, consistent refereeing.

 

[mgkpsu]

Sorry if this hurts anyone's feelings, but I really don't see him getting drafted very high, especially if he isn't 100% to work out beginning in January.

If he were my family member I would tell him to come back next year, and I'm not really going to debate it with anyone.

Hopefully for his sake he proves me wrong, and has a lengthy professional career. And otherwise, I hope he took school seriously.

 

[cntblvitsbutter]

Sorry if this hurts anyone's feelings, but I really don't see him getting drafted very high, especially if he isn't 100% to work out beginning in January.

If he were my family member I would tell him to come back next year, and I'm not really going to debate it with anyone.

Hopefully for his sake he proves me wrong, and has a lengthy professional career. And otherwise, I hope he took school seriously.

Yeah, odd decision, but hope Steelers can grab him in late rounds or as undrafted FA.

 

[Delcolion915]

In the grand Franklin tradition he leaves early so he can be the coveted 176th overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in round 5.

Penn State is the only program in America where kids leave to become a third day pick or an unrestricted free agent.

How is Kalen King doing these days?

 

[Safety Blitz]

Yeah, and was there ever a good reason for all the secrecy?

Do any of us have a need to know?

 

[ryoder1]

Do any of us have a need to know?

None of us need to know. The simple point and you can disagree is that as fans who closely follow the team it would be great to know that one of our stars on defense who we are counting on to be a key contributor is lost for the season. Sets our expectations and there is clarity versus this bizarre "whatever happened to one of our best defensive players?"

 

[LandoComando]

In the grand Franklin tradition he leaves early so he can be the coveted 176th overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in round 5.

Penn State is the only program in America where kids leave to become a third day pick or an unrestricted free agent.

How is Kalen King doing these days?

This is a 1990 mentality. Doesn't matter if he's drafted or not. It's likely more underclassmen will enter the draft than total players drafted this year. He's ready to move on and should. Has nothing to do with James. Happens everywhere

 

[mgkpsu]

In the grand Franklin tradition he leaves early so he can be the coveted 176th overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in round 5.

Penn State is the only program in America where kids leave to become a third day pick or an unrestricted free agent.

How is Kalen King doing these days?

Winston is a True Junior with:
28 games
90 Total Tackles
1 Interception
5 Passes Defended
1 Forced Fumble
2 Fumbles Recovered

That sounds more like a single season for Safeties drafted into the NFL who end up having successful careers, and that's when they are able to perform at the Combine.

 

[LeatherHelmets]

Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on Instagram.

Penn State Football DB Kevin Winston Jr. declares for 2025 NFL Draft

Penn State's KJ Winston is officially entering the NFL Draft.

pennstate.rivals.com

Who? The name sounds vaguely familiar

 

[bvillebaron]

Yeah, and was there ever a good reason for all the secrecy?

Give it a rest.

 

[bvillebaron]

Winston is a True Junior with:
28 games
90 Total Tackles
1 Interception
5 Passes Defended
1 Forced Fumble
2 Fumbles Recovered

That sounds more like a single season for Safeties drafted into the NFL who end up having successful careers, and that's when they are able to perform at the Combine.

28 games in a season?

 

[bvillebaron]

Sorry if this hurts anyone's feelings, but I really don't see him getting drafted very high, especially if he isn't 100% to work out beginning in January.

If he were my family member I would tell him to come back next year, and I'm not really going to debate it with anyone.

Hopefully for his sake he proves me wrong, and has a lengthy professional career. And otherwise, I hope he took school seriously.

I don’t know, he was projected to be a high draft pick coming into this season. Draft status will depend on his combine performance. Best of luck to him.

 

[LandoComando]

Winston's well aware of how him not being able to play this year could impact his draft status

 

[mgkpsu]

28 games in a season?

In 2023 alone Trey Taylor from Air Force had 74 tackles, 0.5 Sacks, 3 Interceptions (1 TD), and 4 Passes Defended.

If you want to be intentionally obtuse, then so be it. But reports are that Kevin wasn't even on campus after his injury, so he is probably close to a year short of a degree. Hope it all works out for the young man!

And there were only 20 Safeties drafted in 2024, after 22 in 2023.

 

[LandoComando]

In 2023 alone Trey Taylor from Air Force had 74 tackles, 0.5 Sacks, 3 Interceptions (1 TD), and 4 Passes Defended.

If you want to be intentionally obtuse, then so be it. But reports are that Kevin wasn't even on campus after his injury, so he is probably close to a year short of a degree. Hope it all works out for the young man!

And there were only 20 Safeties drafted in 2024, after 22 in 2023.

Let's pretend he doesn't get drafted--he's still going to get a camp invite