Penn State safety Kevin Winston Jr. (21) tackles Rutgers wide receiver JaQuae Jackson (9) during an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions won, 27-6.
Kevin Winston Jr. S Penn State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Kevin Winston Jr. S Penn State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 12/06/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (86%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 21.0 DOB: 12/02/2003 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Man-Zone Slot/Nickel Safety | |
| Last Updated: 12/06/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.45 seconds (86%*) | |
| Age: 21.0 DOB: 12/02/2003 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 83.8 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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80% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 88.0 | |
| Tackling: |
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97% |
| Run Defense: |
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97% |
| Coverage: |
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83% |
| Zone: |
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73% |
| Man/Press: |
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84% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#94
Position rank:
#18
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| College Games: 23 College Snaps: 674 | ||
ESPN RATING: 79/100
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247 RATING: 90/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Lewis Cine - Georgia |
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82% |
| Kitan Oladapo - Oregon State |
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79% |
| Markquese Bell - Florida A&M |
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73% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Kevin Winston Jr. burst onto the scene at Penn State, earning the starting safety job as a sophomore in 2023. The 6'2", 201-pound defensive back racked up a team-high 60 tackles (35 solo), 2.5 TFLs, two fumble recoveries, an INT, and five PBUs across 13 starts. His production and on-field impact garnered All-Big Ten honorable mention nods from both coaches and media.As a true freshman in 2022, Winston Jr. cut his teeth in 12 games, logging 16 tackles (11 solo) with a TFL. His snap count jumped from 94 to 506 between his freshman and sophomore campaigns, showcasing his rapid development in the Nittany Lions' secondary.
The DeMatha Catholic product was a decorated prep star, earning All-Met State Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. Winston Jr. posted 50 tackles, 3 INTs, 10 PBUs, and a scoop-and-score TD in his final high school season. A two-time team captain and MVP, he garnered four-star ratings from multiple recruiting services before choosing Penn State over other Power 5 suitors.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional tackler with a minuscule 2% missed-tackle rate in 2023, ranking second among FBS safeties
- Versatile defender capable of playing single-high safety, nickel corner, and off-ball linebacker
- Explosive downhill player with excellent pursuit angles and sideline-to-sideline range
- Instinctive in coverage with the ability to disrupt timing at the line of scrimmage
- Utilizes length effectively to wrap up ball carriers and play through receivers' hands
- Quick backpedal and fluid hip transition allow him to match up with varied receiver types
- Aggressive play style and willingness to attack gaps in run support
- Natural ball skills and tracking ability create turnover potential
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Needs to improve pad level when approaching contact, especially against larger runners
- Frame could use additional mass to enhance play strength at the next level
- Can be overaggressive at times, leading to occasional missed tackles or coverage lapses
- Must refine technique to avoid being too handsy in downfield coverage situations
- Lower body flexibility and change of direction skills have room for improvement
Scouting Report: Summary
Winston Jr. profiles as a rangy, physical safety with the versatility to play single-high, in the box, or match up against tight ends. His click-and-close ability, coupled with a low missed tackle rate, projects well to the next level. Winston's experience in multiple alignments at Penn State should ease his transition to NFL defensive schemes.At the combine, scouts will key in on Winston's hip fluidity and backpedal technique. His ability to turn and run with NFL-caliber receivers will be crucial. While his instincts and football IQ are plus traits, Winston needs to add mass to his frame to withstand the rigors of the pro game, particularly when playing in the box.
Winston has the toolkit to develop into a starting NFL safety within his first two seasons. His special teams value and positional flexibility make him an attractive Day 2 prospect. With refinement in man coverage techniques and improved play strength, Winston could emerge as a defensive signal-caller and impact player in sub-packages early in his pro career.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
How other scouting services rate Kevin Winston Jr. (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
50.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
9.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.