Penn State S Kevin Winston Jr. 2025 NFL Draft Profile

Kevin Winston Jr., safety 6-2, 208 pounds 12/3/2003 (21 years old) Penn State YEARTOTAL TACKLESINTERCEPTIONSPASS BREAKUPS202216002023611620241300CAREER TOTALS9016Kevin Winston Jr. career statistics Pros: Run game impact Winston is one of the better tackling safeties to come out in the last few classes. He doesn’t miss many tackles out in space. From form, consistently coming to balance, […]

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer

Jan 3, 2025 8:54 AM EST

Penn State's Kevin Winston Jr. (21) tackles Indiana's Jaylin Lucas during a kickoff return in the second half of an NCAA football game at Beaver Stadium Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions won, 33-24. Created: — Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

Kevin Winston Jr., safety

6-2, 208 pounds

12/3/2003 (21 years old)

Penn State

YEAR	TOTAL TACKLES	INTERCEPTIONS	PASS BREAKUPS
2022	16	0	0
2023	61	1	6
2024	13	0	0
CAREER TOTALS	90	1	6

Kevin Winston Jr. career statistics

Pros:

Run game impact
Winston is one of the better tackling safeties to come out in the last few classes. He doesn’t miss many tackles out in space. From form, consistently coming to balance, and playing behind his pads, Winston is an all around difference maker in that capacity.
Linear explosiveness
Winston is a gifted mover in a straight line, closing from Point A to Point B in a flash. The closing speed he possesses is eye popping. This allows Winston to make a tremendous impact coming downhill.
Short zone upside
When it comes to getting downhill, Winston makes a huge impact in both the run and pass game. His best work on coverage comes as a short zone defender, utilizing his length and closing speed to make plays on the football. Winston rolling down is a scary sight.

I’m lower on Penn State S Kevin Winston Jr. than consensus. He’s a big physical athlete, and has nice linear explosiveness. Also a very good open field tackler.

My issues are he’s very tight in his pedal, hurts COD/impact in deep zone… limited as short zone/robber defender. pic.twitter.com/LFcZL5YUl6
— Ryan Roberts (@RiseNDraft) January 2, 2025

Cons:

Hip tightness
In his back pedal, Winston is very clunky in his transitions. His hips are tight, which leads to labored movements when changing direction. That serious limits Winston’s upside in pass coverage.
Scheme dependent
The hip tightness for Winston seriously affects his impact playing deep zones. His range is below average, possessing inefficient movements when opening up. Winston is best served working short zones, which limits his overall impact against the pass game.
Overall reactiveness
Winston tends to see things late, a tick slow to sort through route concepts in front of him and decipher plays. This also affects his work in the run game, where he can be a half step late to fill against the run. Overall Winston needs to become more proactive as a player.

Player Evaluation:

In a deep safety class in the 2025 NFL Draft, there is no better open field tackler than Winston. With his ability in the run game, as well as size, length, and short area explosiveness, Winston has starter upside. It will just have to be in a very specific role.

If you are looking for a safety who is going to make a huge impact in deep zone, Winston will not be your ideal match. He has a lot of tightness out of his pedal, which limits his change of direction and overall range. There are extreme limitations in pass coverage

Player Comparison:

Kamren Curl (Los Angeles Rams)
For teams that are looking for a big bodied strong safety, Winston will be near the top of the list in this class. He is a tremendous tackler, and short zone defender with plus starter upside in that capacity.