Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1454229
5 0 M A R C H 2 0 2 2 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M P enn State coach James Franklin was highlighting the need to recruit ver- satile prospects. Even in his FaceTime calls with pros- pects and their families during the first signing day of the 2022 cycle in Decem- ber, Franklin frequently brought up the topic. Surrounded by assistant coaches ready to welcome the next batch of Nit- tany Lions into the fold, Franklin would joke that staffers were "still fighting" among themselves to land the services of the incoming players. "We want to recruit as many guys as we possibly can that you look at and you say, 'You know what? I think these guys could play either side of the ball,'" Frank- lin said. "The guys that we're recruiting should have that type of ability." Count Kevin "KJ" Winston Jr. as one of those players. A 6-foot-2, 190-pound star out of DeMatha Catholic in Hyatts- ville, Md., Winston is listed as a safety. But as The Washington Post noted when it honored him as the 2021 All-Met De- fensive Player of the Year, his impact for the Stags was constant, an ever-present piece of the puzzle. "He made an impact in every aspect: On defense, he nabbed four intercep- tions and averaged seven tackles a game," the Post wrote. "On special teams, he served as the team's kickoff returner. On offense — as the only two-way player on a talent-packed roster — he had 42 receptions and five touchdowns." Rated as an On3 Consensus four-star prospect, Winston carries with him a No. 29 ranking as a safety. Last fall, he grabbed three interceptions while breaking up 10 passes, nabbing a fumble recovery and making 50 tackles. He also blocked two field goals and scored five special teams touchdowns. As those numbers indicate, he has an extensive skill set, and that, more than anything, was what impressed Penn State's coaching staff. "He has the length, we think, to play safety. We think he could also play the star [linebacker] or the nickel corner po- sition," Franklin said. "And there is part of me that would like to start him at cor- ner to see if he could do that. "The more guys we have with those types of bodies that can play on the pe- rimeter, and not only make plays with their athleticism but also their length, I think there is tremendous value to that." Though unlikely, it's even been sug- gested that he could fit in at wide receiver when he arrives at PSU this summer. Before choosing Penn State, Winston considered Maryland and Michigan State. He announced for the Lions on July 31, 2021. "There's a real brotherhood there," Winston told BWI. "I know you probably hear that all the time, but it's the truth. I feel like I really see that at Penn State, and I come from a school in DeMatha that stresses that." ■ Rated the No. 29 safety nationally in the On3 Consensus, Winston chose Penn State over Maryland and Michigan State. PHOTO BY RYAN SNYDER Kevin Winston Jr. Could Excel In A Variety Of Roles N AT E B A U E R | N B A U E R @ B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M KEVIN "KJ" WINSTON JR. S |6-2 | 190 DEMATHA CATHOLIC HIGH COLUMBIA, MD. RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE consensus ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 290 29 6 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ 211 22 4 ✪ ✪ ✪ – 34 15 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ – 23 5 ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ – 31 7 STATISTICS • Finished with three interceptions, 10 passes broken up, a fumble recovery for a touchdown and 50 tackles as a senior. • Blocked two field goals and had five touch- downs on special teams. • As a sophomore, made 30 tackles with two interceptions, including an interception returned for a touchdown. NOTABLE • Two-time team captain and two-time team MVP. • Named All-Met Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 by The Washington Post. • First-team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference as a senior. RECRUITMENT • Committed to the Nittany Lions on July 31, 2021. • Selected Penn State over Maryland and Mich- igan State. • Took official visits to Michigan State, Penn State and Maryland in June before selecting the Nittany Lions in July. 2022 PROJECTION The depth Penn State enjoys at safety might preclude an immediate impact, but James Frank- lin isn't limiting the possibilities there. The staff believes Winston's length could allow him to play safety or the nickel cornerback position, and Franklin also noted that he's thought about trying him at cornerback, too. THEY SAID IT Bill McGregor, DeMatha Catholic head coach: "KJ is an outstanding football player. He played both ways for us as a receiver and safety and returned kickoffs. He literally never came off the field. KJ was our most valuable and most outstanding player." BWI analyst Thomas Frank Carr: "Winston is one of the most fun players in Penn State's class to watch on film. He does the little things well and plays with a passion and enthusiasm that sets the tone for the rest of his team. That, and he has a nose for the football. The only real question about Winston is his long speed, but even then, his other traits make up for it. He has all of the markers of Penn State's next great boundary safety."